Tuesday's Internet Edition, July 08, 2008.
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At least ten more volunteers are needed at this time. Scholarships for an upcoming EMT class are available for those who will volunteer their time.
The following is a statement the EMS Coordinator, Reuel Cooper, made:
“I would like to take a minute to share with you some important facts about YOUR EMS. We have been in existence since 1983 and have always had volunteers from the community in our organization. This is an important time in the life of YOUR EMS.
“Presently, Lexington EMS has 13 members. We have two ambulances that are registered to be on call 24/7 with the State Department of Health. Each ambulance must have at least two members on the ambulance when a run is made. This means that if we have back-to-back runs, we MUST be able to have at least 4 members ready. This is made possible by people volunteering to become an EMT and give their time to help the people of this community.
“We are offering an EMT class with scholarships for those who will volunteer their time to run with the Lexington EMS. We expect to have an EMT class begin late this month or early in February.
“If we do not get more volunteers, we can lose one unit and only have one ambulance in service for the area that we cover. That means that Lexington EMS will only be able to make one run at a time, instead of two presently offered.
“If more volunteers are not received soon, it may not be long until we can no longer have an EMS in the Lexington community area. Then, the community will depend on ambulance services 18 miles to the south and/or 20 miles to the north. It takes time for out-of-the-area services to respond. Long response times is a reason that Lexington EMS was created — to be able to provide timely service to the people in Lexington and the north end of Lee County.
“The Lexington EMS is budgeted by the City of Lexington to provide the ambulances, maintenance, fuel and supplies and the City manages the money that the EMS receives from the runs it makes. The members receive no pay, but they do receive the satisfaction of being able to help our fellow citizens. Donations received by the EMS help provide scholarships for our EMT classes and other equipment that the City or grants do not provide.
“We are licensed by the State Department of Health and must operate under the medical protocols determined by the State and written by our Medical Director.
“The future of the EMS is in your hands. Please volunteer to be a member of the Lexington EMS. If you are interested in taking the EMT class, please give me a call at 979-773-4077.”