Oil and gas companies provide ambulance service in western state | 12.11.2007 | 07:54:53 | Views: 6080 | ID: December 11 '07: The Associated Press reported that in several western states, oil and gas companies are providing ambulance service for workers in the natural gas fields. In Sublette County, Wyoming, Shell, EnCana, Ultra and BP have "contributed $900,000 toward the new ambulance and a place to house it." Meanwhile county officials have given $500,000 for the ambulance service. Wil Gay, the supervisor of the Sublette County Emergency Medical Services told the AP, "It's going to make a difference if anything happens out there." The AP reported, "Stationed where two rural highways meet, the ambulance is within 10 miles of two of the most active gas fields in the state. While it used to take 30 minutes or more just to reach the entrance to the gas fields, it now takes less than eight minutes," with the new service. The idea for the ambulance came during the Rocky Mountain Health, Safety, and Environmental Council which meets "regularly to share information about safety issues and best practices," the AP continued. Details of the ambulance station include a kitchen, bunkrooms, laundry facilities, exercise area, and satellite TV. All companies in the area are cooperating with the ambulance service. "In its first few weeks of operation earlier this fall, the station handled nearly a dozen emergency calls, including one in the nearby gas fields and five car accidents involving oil and gas field workers. ... County officials applaud the proactive spirit shown by the four oil and gas companies." One representative from Shell said that "competing energy companies are willing to work together on improving worker safety and health care," the AP reported.
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