First responders can make the difference in emergency situations like car accidents. In our area, many are volunteer and more and more services are in need of some help of their own.
Andalusia Volunteer Ambulance is having somewhat of its own emergency, not enough people to cover the 24-7 service it provides to the community. Now members are putting out a call for help. The volunteers cover an area of more than 280 square miles. Right now, they're doing that with just 10 EMT's and four ambulance drivers. Now, recruiting volunteers is an effort to save taxpayers pocketbooks, but most importantly could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.
The sign along Highway 9 says it all, "Volunteers needed." Andalusia Volunteer Ambulance is trying to find members to keep their rigs running. "When we don't have enough help it's like we're always on call, always ready to respond if you need to," said Steve Thompson who's currently a volunteer ambulance driver. Thompson has been a volunteer for about two decades. At times, Andalusia has had about 30 members. The number of EMT's is now down by a third. The service lost a handful this year and volunteers say people are just too busy to help out.
"Everybody has full time jobs and families. It's nice if more people would step up. They do offer full-time training if you want to come and join we will pay for you to be an EMT," said Scott Cullen, an EMT volunteer.
That is the reason for an open house Sunday. Members invited the public in for a look at the facility, the ambulances, and other agencies they work alongside. "Welcome to climb through, ask any questions if they want to pick up an application," said Cullen.
The service has been through tough spots before, several years ago it got close to having a private ambulance take over coverage. Volunteers say if it comes to that this time it could mean a spike in property taxes. "Everybody's property taxes could rise up to 42%," said Cullen. He also worries about a change in quality of service if it's no longer neighboring residents who provide it. "Hopefully living in the area you're more familiar with the area and you can give better response."
It is a job where minutes matter and time is what they're trying to fill. "24 hours a day, seven days a week. It gets to be a stress when can't get enough people to cover those hours," said Thompson, "The citizens out here really need the coverage out here and that's an important thing to keep."
Andalusia Volunteer Ambulance staffs a crew of three all the time. They offer to pay for training for those who will help cover 30 hours a month for a two-year time. Their goal is to double what they have now for a total of 20 EMT's.
If you're interested in volunteering you can contact the Andalusia Volunteer Ambulance service at (309) 798-5406. Even if you don't live in close proximity to Andalusia, there are sleeping quarters at the facility for EMT's and ambulance drivers.
