By Rachel Engel
PENROSE, Colo. — Penrose Fire Department announced in a social media post that Penrose EMS, which operates as a subset of the fire service, would suspend emergency medical care indefinitely beginning July 4.
The announcement comes amid rising call volume, but a lack of certified staff to serve the needs of the community, KRDO 13 reported.
A Facebook post from the PFD warned residents that the suspension of EMS services will impact the community and urged volunteers to step up.
“With the decline in staffing and recent unexpected losses, the number of personnel are no longer adequate to continue service to the community,” the post read. “As a result of this suspension of service, the community cannot assume that an ambulance will be available for a call to service in the Penrose residential and surrounding areas.”
The post ended with a call to action.
“If anyone in the community or that follows us has or knows someone with an EMT certification or higher that is willing to volunteer with us, we can consider the options of keeping the doors open.”