WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Only two of three ambulances are up and running for service in Wythe County, which could cause problems for response times. But two grants will now help with the purchase and outfitting of a new vehicle.
Keeping the ambulances in top shape is key when responding to calls.
"Right now we are running vehicles that are high mileage. And we spent $30,000 last year just keeping them on the roads," said Danny Gordon, chairman of WCRS Board of Directors.
But a lifesaving grant for $198,925 will put a new ambulance on the road in the next 60 days, according to the Wythe County Rescue Squad.
"With this rescue squad assistance fund grant, it is to replace an ambulance that is in service. The squad felt like it was necessary. Unit 53 has certainly been a faithful vehicle for us. We certainly appreciate the hard work that Unit 53 has done, but unfortunately, I think it's seen the better part of its days," said Jeremy T.K. Farley, grant writer for Wythe County.
Unit 53 gave 10 years of service to the parts of the city and county. The vehicle is now retiring at a towing company because of major mechanical failures.
Along with the funds to buy a new ambulance, another grant worth $25,000 from the Bland Foundation will make it ready for service.
"We basically purchase a vehicle with a box on the back. It doesn't come with any of the medical equipment on the backside of it," said Farley.
And having reliable vehicles keeps rescue squad workers and patients they're transporting out of harm's way. A lot of them are easily worn out driving up and down Interstates 77 and 81, both crossing through Wythe County.
"We haven't had a new vehicle in almost 20 years. And we have almost 2,000 calls on average of the year. And with the interstate systems a lot of them, are very, unfortunately, tragic accidents," said Gordon.
The two remaining vehicles also need repairs to continue doing their job, which costs several thousands of dollars.
"We were down to no vehicles a couple time this past year. And we had to rely on our neighboring rescue squads to pick up the calls," said Gordon.
The rescue squad said it plans to apply for more grants in the future to add additional vehicles.
More info below from media release:
Things Wythe County Board of Supervisors do to assist the squad:
- Assists the squads in preparing and submitting grants
- Provide insurance on all their vehicles
- Purchase all of the fuel for their ambulances
- Provide repair/maintenance supplies for vehicles
- All adds up to about $24,000
- Additionally, the county serves as the pass-through agency for state funds which equates to about $12,000 in additional revenues for the squad.