First responders discuss gaps in EMS

January 12, 2007

Marlinton, WV – Everyone might be navigating the same rough waters, but not everyone is in the same boat. That was the consensus Tuesday when about 40 people gathered on a snowy night at the Pocahontas County Courthouse to discuss emergency medical service.

The short-term problem is that STAT Ambulance, a private company that has been making runs in the Marlinton area since 2005 has announced that it will leave the county just a couple of weeks from now.

The long-term problem is that the volunteer system of Emergency Medical Service is not working the way it used to, with more training and accountability required of volunteers, a shrinking population and volunteers who are aging.

Gathered Tuesday night were volunteer EMTs and Paramedics, along with state EMS workers, members of the county EMS authority and 911 Advisory Board and the County Commission.

Commissioners asked the room to direct them in the best way to solve the problems at hand.

What they got was a mix of answers.

(Click icon above to listen to full story.)

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Current Weather

MARLINTON WEATHER
WARM SPRINGS WEATHER
MONTEREY WEATHER
Become a volunteer today
Please help & donate today
BECOME A BUSINESS SUPPORTER