Trending
I am writing the Tucker County Commission to defend the Emergency Ambulance Fee (EAF). This fee is crucial to the welfare of the citizens of Tucker County.
The funds generated by the EAF, along with other funding sources, have allowed Tucker County EMS (TCEMS) to make great strides forward in the prehospital care of the citizens of Tucker County.
I have been employed by TCEMS for seven years as an EMT. When I started there was only one 24-hour shift, split into 12-hour shifts. Since I started, I have seen the number of shifts increase in the County, along with an increase of personnel. These shifts have continued to increase over that time.
Now there are two 24-hour shifts covering the county and the amount, of paramedics on duty has also increased. Recently, there have been instances where the 911 calls, on a particular day, which were not answered by TCEMS. These delays were caused the 911 system being overwhelmed at the time. The on-duty crews were simply taking care of other patients.
In these cases, Tucker County 911 maintained contact with the caller to provide options for the caller and the patient. These options can include but they are not limited to, waiting for the return of a crew from TCEMS, getting a crew from another county or the patient being transported by private vehicle. Even off-duty personnel have responded to outstanding calls on their own time.
The EAF, enacted by a previous Commission, was done legally. The Commission at the time held at least three Commission Workshops. I attended two of these workshops and only a small number of citizens attended the last workshop to express concern over the fee.
We are a constitutional republic as a country and the citizens of Tucker County were represented by the commission, during the process of enacting the EAF.
The EAF has allowed TCEMS to purchase new, and better equipment, that is necessary to help our patients, a portion of which was outdated or soon would be. The EAF has also allowed TCEMS to increase the salary of the EMTs and paramedics and to offer better employee benefits to them.
With these changes, TCEMS has been able to attract highly qualified providers. The EAF also allows TCEMS to continually purchase supplies and expendables, needed in the performance of our duties.
All changes brought about by the fee have been positive for the county and will allow TCEMS to continue to move forward.
It is well known that the current commission wish to repeal the EAF and try to enact an EMS levy. An EMS levy would be a big move forward for TCEMS. However, it is my view that this levy will fail.
By repealing the EAF, the commission will be going backwards. It will get rid of any progress that has been made to date. Just look at Preston County. They are losing EMS agencies because of a lack of funding. Even the Preston County Commission is thinking of enacting an ambulance fee.
Lastly, I wish to state the Tucker County Emergency Services Facility in Davis, also known as Station 2, was NOT constructed using the funds generated by the Tucker County Emergency Ambulance Fee.
This facility was constructed through the Tucker County Building Commission using county funds.
This is a county building and TCEMS is a tenant in that building.
I thank you for your time.
Joseph J. Strait
Davis