Newcastle Ambulance is sold

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Roger Hespe, owner of Newcastle Ambulance Service, announced on May 28 that Campbell County Health will be purchasing, for $1.23 million, and taking over the ambulance service in Weston County beginning July 1. 
After announcing his retirement earlier this year, Hespe had assured local entities that he was dedicated to the community and planned to remain that way through the selling process. 
Before selling the business he had started 20 years ago, Hespe told the News Letter Journal, he first had to educate himself on the selling process. He then advertised to generate interest before moving forward with nondisclosure agreements with interested parties. 
“After that, we started the discussions. Not only did they vet the business, but I also vetted them. I didn’t want a wrong fit for the community,” Hespe said. 
Once the offers were made, Hespe reviewed the information and decided which of the offers he would accept. 
“During the vetting process, Campbell County (Health) had, hands down, what our community needs to take it
into the future,” Hespe said. “They are going to come in and help stabilize the regional system and provide a higher level of care with licensed paramedics, which I had a heck of time getting,” 
“It would have taken me seven years to get to the level they will be at on July 1 when they take over,” he continued. “They will turn some of the building space into a crew headquarters with a kitchen, sleeping area and other needs. They will have an in-house paramedic and EMT, 24/7. They will provide a higher level of care in the field, on all calls, and can transfer at a higher level of care.” 
According to a press release on the sale, Newcastle Ambulance Service staff will transition to the 24-hour EMS shift model. Campbell County Health plans to transition current Newcastle staff to EMS positions while bringing in paramedics. 
“Now, when patients in the Newcastle community are picked up by an EMS crew and put into an ambulance, our team will be licensed to perform the highest level of care authorized by an EMS provider in the state of Wyoming,” said Christopher Beltz, paramedic and director of Campbell County Health Medical Services, in a press release dated May 28. “The upgrade to 24-hour service will provide critical care transports to other care centers, giving similar care and interventions as patients receive in the
emergency department or intensive care unit while in
the ambulance.” 
This business model, according to Hespe, is the new face of emergency medical services. Regionalization is crucial in a time that small businesses are struggling to make a company that can remain stable and grow. 
“When someone calls for an ambulance, the service needs to be nearby. EMS in Wyoming is changing and CCH (Campbell County Health) wants to support rural areas to continue to offer emergency medical services in their communities,” said Misty Robertson, CCH chief nursing officer, in the release. “Our aim is to build on the service offered by NAS (Newcastle Ambulance Service) to offer a higher level of care to Newcastle and beyond. We look forward to continuing the relationship with the City of Newcastle, Weston County and Custer County, S.D., to sustain these services for their communities.”
Part of this, Hespe said, is Campbell County Health taking over the ambulance service while leaving the name and colors the same. 
“They will still be Newcastle Ambulance Service with the same color and logo,” Hespe said, noting that he ensured that the new owners would remain dedicated to using Newcastle businesses as much as possible for services and supplies. 
“They are coming to be a part of the community and that is a good thing,” he said. 
According to the release, in addition to a 24-hour staff for ambulance services, Campbell County Health plans to grow the community paramedicine program while implementing programs, including weekly car seat checks, bike rodeos, EMT classes, continued stand-by services and helping the community to celebrate holidays such as Halloween. 
“Newcastle Ambulance Services’ mission is community, commitment and caring and my community is very important to me. When I was looking to retire, I wanted to have a company that would take Newcastle Ambulance Service to the next level for my community, and for my staff,” Hespe said in the press release. “I already have a great working relationship with Campbell County Health – I have worked with the staff, assisted with evaluations and trainings. I also know a lot of the leaders and staff at Campbell County Health, and I believe that their EMS team is wonderful. I felt that joining these services will help grow and support the communities and bring quality care and better resources to the Newcastle Community.” 
Maureen Cadwell, CEO of Weston County Health Services, also believes the transition will benefit Weston County residents by bringing excellent EMS services to the community. 
“We look forward to working with the service and view this as a positive step with this crucial service,” she told the News Letter Journal. 
With his newfound freedom, Hespe and his wife, Robin, plan to travel the country in their newly upgraded mobile home to enjoy parts of the country they have yet to see. 
“We have been married to the community for a long time and have not had the opportunity to travel and see other places, except in short spurts here and there,” Hespe said.  “We have things we want to see. We are going to the east coast to see the lighthouses, going to Niagara Falls, going to check out all the lakes and ride the motorcycle or go for long walks. To put it simply, we are going to live our lives.” 
He did admit that he will be back to visit regularly to see family and the community that is home.