Bill Scandrett, Dir. White County Emergency Medical Service and Scott Masters, Dir. Emergency Medical Service for Northeast Georgia Health System address White County Board of Commissioners
(Cleveland)- The surge of Covid-19 and variant cases has burdened all health officials including the White County Emergency Medical Services. The demand has been so great that there are several times that when 9-1-1 received a call for assistance there is no ambulance available in the county, which is called a status 13 by emergency officials. At that time officials call on an ambulance from a neighboring county, which takes more time to reach the victim.
This issue was discussed Monday during a White County Commission meeting. After hearing reports on the current medical response from White County Public Safety Director David Murphy, Scott Masters, Emergency Medical Service Director for Northeast Georgia Health System, and Bill Scandrett, Director of White County Medical Service the White County Board of Commissioners talked about some short and long term ways to address the situation.
Director Murphy told the commissioners since last August the number of Statue 13 call has increased 500 percent.
The commissioners after hearing the reports approved adding an additional ambulance to serve the county until at least the end of November. This would provide a total of five ambulances to serve the county through the service provided by Northeast Georgia Health System. The cost for this service is not to exceed $39,698 per month with money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
White County Residents can help in this situation by assessing other options before calling for an ambulance. Of course in an emergency always call 9-1-1.
Commission Chairman Travis Turner says no matter the situation when you call for assistance help will be provided, “ even though we may have a status 13, that we don’t have an ambulance available to service a call we are still sending a first responder to every call, that where an ambulance has been called for, “ commented Turner.
Director Murphy shared with the commissioners that currently, two 9-1-1 center staff are dealing with COVID, four firefighters are out and five sheriff’s office staff are dealing with COVID. Fortunately, no EMS staff are out because of the virus.
That’s great and all but how is the service going to staff this truck when they are having a hard time staffing the trucks they already have? They are already short 2-4 employees everyday. They are working 24-36 hours already. How is another truck going to help?
I agree with said comment above. I have unfortunately had to call an ambulance before for a family member. These individuals are working so hard, and such long hours. They’re understaffed, and in my opinion not paid enough. There have been times I have seen the same individuals, having to work overtime because there was no one to work. I do not think this county is taking in the information at hand that these individuals are overworked and extremely understaffed. Adding another truck would work fantastic, if they were able to staff the trucks they have now. Politics care about image.. not the people who are having to work hard to maintain said image.