 |
 |
Bracken EMS following a plan
Monday, May 21, 2007 5:53 PM EDT
This week has been declared Bracken County Emergency Medical Services Week by Bracken County Judge Executive Gary Riggs.
Responding to a need for regular ambulance service for the community, in 1973, Bracken County Ambulance service was created to replace a system that involved calling a funeral home to help transport a medical patient.
Funding was needed to get the project rolling.
"Bracken County Fiscal Court came up with $25,000 to purchase two vans and retrofit them to accommodate medical equipment," said Betty McClanahan, EMS director. "Freddie Weissman was recruited to do the work. That was Nov. 1973. He worked into the nights to have them ready by Jan. 1, 1974. When he finished, the units even had a double floor; the backboards were stored under the floor where the gurney and patient were."
In those days, the judge executive and fiscal court ran the service. In January 1974, a proposal for an ambulance taxing district was put on the ballot and approved by voters, said McClanahan.
Once the taxing district was created a board of directors was formed to govern the agency.
"It went into effect in 1975," she said.
Brooksville and Augusta each received one of the ambulances; sometimes kept in barns or out in the elements at the home of whoever was responsible for the unit that night: a building for the ambulances was to come later, said McClanahan.
"I have to credit Janice Jett for helping us save the money to get buildings for the units," said McClanahan. "We have come a long way. There were a lot of big changes in the 1990s but Bracken County EMS has stayed on top of the training and pilot programs."
Described as a "working family," there have been more than 200 names on the roster over the years.
"We have made a banner and we are including everybody's name," said McClanahan. "First responders, drivers, firefighters ... everybody who has been so dedicated that they made this place possible."
With a base station in Brooksville that includes room for four ambulances, modest overnight sleeping quarters, office space and a classroom area, and a satellite station with additional ambulance garage space and office area in Augusta, Bracken County EMS has continued to expand.
"The state has added more and more regulation over the years, but our people have kept up with it. They have risen to the highest level attainable by a Basic Life Support unit," said McClanahan.
Last weekend the service held an appreciation dinner.
Plans are already in the works to have the service rise from BLS service to the level of Advance Life Support service.
"It is in the plan," McClanahan said.
For information on EMT classes call 606-735-3783; in an emergency call 911.
For more area news, go to www.bracken-online.com
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276.
Copyright © 2008 Maysville Newspapers, Inc., A Lee Enterprises Publication This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent. Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy. Click here to view current print advertisements. |