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Bracken EMS's new building worth the wait
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By WENDY MITCHELL Staff Writer
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AUGUSTA -- After months of interior renovations, Bracken County EMS has a new home for its newest ambulance.
Formerly a city of Augusta storage building, the metal building on the corner of Third Street and Seminary Avenue, in Augusta has been resurrected as the new home for an ambulance. Officially listed under the EMS licensing title as Satellite in Augusta, the location is known to Bracken EMS as Station Two.
After purchasing the building from the city for $30,000, plans were made to install a concrete floor and office area.
"We also had to add a handicapped access door and handicapped accessible bathroom," said Betty McClanahan, EMS director.
All this took more time than the squad intended.
"Waiting for permits -- you have to have permits for every little thing theses days -- took some time. Then the inspector came out and looked around. 'You are good to go,' he said, So here we are today," said McClanahan.
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| EMT David Sticklen makes sure the newest ambulance of the fleet is ready for action at its new home base on Seminary Avenue in Augusta. Bracken County EMS bought and converted the former storage garage into Station Two, for the convenience of Augusta residents.
Wendy Mitchell/Staff |
While one section of the building does not have a concrete slab poured yet, the main garage area, office and restroom are completed.
"We poured the floor a little at a time, I think each section was a little over $600," said David Sticklen, EMT.
Being within 30 feet of the railroad tracks worried McClanahan at first. As a freight train rumbled by, only the warning whistle and audible rumble of the train signaled its presence.
"I wondered what effect it would have on the concrete, but it doesn't seem to bother," said McClanahan.
Having the tracks bisect Augusta was a big reason why the squad decided to place Station Two south of the tracks.
"In a disaster or an emergency, if the train was passing through town or heaven forbid the train was stopped in town, there is only one way out for those on the north side of the tracks and that is all the way down Longstretch to the old tunnel. This way, with Station Two above the tracks and the Augusta Fire Department below the tracks, Augusta is better served," said McClanahan.
Though the fire department has its own building on Main Street, EMS has left room for a fire truck to share the new building.
"We have always said, it they want to station a fire truck above the tracks with us, they could," said McClanahan.
As a fitting turn of events, the newest ambulance to join the Bracken EMS fleet, a 2006 Ford 450, has been assigned to the new station.
"It is bigger than the others; they are F-350's," said McClanahan.
The new ambulance has more power and a heavy duty braking system, said Sticklen.
Because ambulances need to be kept at constant temperature in the winter, insulation and a gas-powered heating system are to be finished soon, said McClanahan.
Signs have not been put into place yet, but McClanahan did add one touch of her own to give the building a finished look.
"I had to make sure the windows got washed and put up some mini blinds," she said.
Teamwork has helped make the new station possible.
"We are working hard at working together," said McClanahan.
For more area news, go to www.bracken-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276. |
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