Published: October 22, 2009 08:12 pm      

City’s EMS cutbacks may come at extreme cost for citizens

Citizens of Allegany County, once again the city administration is trying to place a price on the welfare of our county residents.

Due to the current economy strain and recent budget cuts, the city of Cumberland is proposing that the Cumberland EMS system replace a paid crew with a volunteer squad to respond to emergency calls throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Currently, the EMS system employs 47 EMT-Basics and 17 EMT-Paramedics. This proposal is based on the bold assumption that the fellow citizens of Allegany County will respond 24 hours a day and seven days a week on a good-faith call system.

The current trend of medical calls is steadily on the rise! From 2004 to 2007, according toa report from the fire chief to city officials, the EMS system had a 12 percent increase. The Cumberland EMS also responds repeatedly to medical assist calls outside the city, not responded to by volunteer crews. This trend also had a raise of 16 percent.

In research, I found a current proposal to the city administration referencing February 2009. During this time frame, the Cumberland EMS responded to 370 emergency medical calls. They also responded to 19 paramedic assist calls residing outside city limits.

What all this means to you my fellow citizen is jeopardy in your safety. When you or your family member dials 911 and are in need of immediate help, you will have to place faith in the “assumption” that the man/woman down the street is not working, sleeping, eating or bathing, and will be able to drop everything to come and assist you.

This also means that in the wee early hours of the morning, on a cold, dark and snow-covered road when you need help, your safety is left on the “assumption” someone will come to your rescue. This is a very scary thought when placed into perspective.

I understand that several other jurisdictions in the Allegany County region run on an all volunteer basis, and I applaud them! But as a reminder, they also have a paid EMS in Cumberland just in case that person cannot respond to your cry for help.

What will happen when that neighbor down the street doesn’t come to your aid? How many times will the scanner alarm and nobody is available to answer an emergency call? Then another and another call goes across and nobody! This is an all too familiar scenario. This is placing a price on the heads of our citizens. If you’re saying to yourself, this does not apply to me, shame on you! The person needing help may be you next.

My plea to you, fellow citizen, is to take a stand! How much does your safety cost to you? Your tax dollars are being spent and it may cost you your life or home!

Sarah L. Taylor

Lonaconing