For the record – February 22, 2017
By Debbie Hall
Shortly after noon one day in late January, I heard an E-911 dispatcher on the scanner, searching for a squad to respond to a call from an 18-year-old who had an allergic reaction to medication received earlier that day at the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County.
There was no immediate response, and after a few minutes, countywide tones sounded for the first time — a scenario that was repeated not once, not twice, not even three times.
It was only after the tones sounded for the fourth time that a voice replied they would answer the call if a driver could be found.
That call prompted me to take a closer look at the existing EMS system, with the ultimate goal of sharing our findings with the community.
Why?
Because that teen could have been one of my children, or one of yours. Add (or subtract) a few years, and the plea for help could have been for an infant, a parent or grandparent; in short, any member of our family or of yours.
The stories published about the rescue situation in Patrick County are intended to highlight some of the issues volunteers face every day; to create awareness that if or when help is needed, there is no guarantee it will arrive in time. One supervisor suggested it may not arrive at all if the call is received during the day.
That is because our volunteers work; sometimes more than one job and sometimes out of the county. They are real people, with real needs and real obligations. They must provide for their families, and we must understand the common ground we all share.
Also, there are fewer people who volunteer, not just in rescue, but across the board.
For instance, the Relay for Life will not be held this year for the first time in decades, due to what organizers said was a lack of participation. The Stuart Lions Club and the United Way no longer exist here and the local Jaycee chapter quietly folded. These are just a few examples.
We believe the situation is serious and deserves serious consideration, as does getting help for the dedicated, compassionate, professionals who man volunteer crews across this or any other county.
They are a rare breed. But they can’t do it all. Nor should we have that expectation. Along with our respect and gratitude, they need our help. What shape that aid will take is not clear at this point. Even our leaders are grappling with this issue.
We trust them to make the best decision, but a large part of their job seems to be determining how the county will pay for either of the options under consideration.
As the discussions continue, and our leaders search for the best option, please get involved. Contact your supervisor, and share your input. What would you would like to see in Patrick County? What are you willing to pay to ensure help will come when you or your family needs it?
The bottom line seems to always come down to money. But in this situation, the topic may become less about what we can afford and more about what we are unwilling to do without.
