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Dougherty praises EMS

Barbara Rivera Holmes

ALBANY — Dougherty County Emergency Medical Services responded to 19,201 calls during calendar year 2007, 50 calls less than 2006, its director said Monday.

The department of 76 full- time and part-time employees completed 11,672 patient transports, said Director Bobby Tripp, and accrued 77,547 transport miles during ’07.

Among other calls, the department, Tripp told Dougherty County commissioners Monday during their 10 a.m. work session, responded to:

• 1,500 auto accident injuries
• 594 abdominal problems
• 627 altered mental states
• 1,288 chest pains
• 387 cardiac arrests
• 628 diabetes
• 329 demented persons.

The department also was on standby for 39 football games, Tripp said, and for 100 hours at the race track that recently closed.

EMS had revenues of $2.53 million, Tripp said, down from $2.7 million in 2006.

During 2007, Dougherty County EMS provided 464 hours of mutual aid, transported 79 out-of-county patients during their stay in Albany and completed a total of 1,305 training hours.

Despite its hard work, the department faces a challenge: keeping employees and getting new ones.

Typically, Tripp said, the department averages one resignation per year. But already in 2008 six employees have departed, some taking teaching positions.

“Not only are we losing our best people in the prime of their career, they are impossible to replace,” he said of those with 5-15 years’ experience. “At this point, we are not competitive with the pay, and that’s why we’re losing (people).”

Tripp said that for every three people who enter an EMS training program, only one gets a license.

“We are starting to feel the effects of a critical shortage (of EMS professionals) in Georgia,” he said.

Commissioners praised the department for the service it provides to the residents of Dougherty County as well as others in need.

“You can’t measure that,” Commission Chair Jeff Sinyard said of saving lives.

“I’ve got nothing but praise and thanks,” said Commissioner Lamar Hudgins.

The commission also received a quarterly update from Andrea Schruijer, vice president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. That update included the mention of eight hosted or sponsored events; 14 multiperson network functions; nine projects; and the mention of numerous other initiatives.

“You’re doing an excellent job,” said Commissioner Charles Lingle. “You’ve got a lot of golf balls up in the air.”

Sinyard echoed the support.

“We appreciate all y’alls hard work,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of good things going on in Albany-Dougherty County. ... We’re sitting on top of the greatest acquifer in the world. At some point, that will pay dividends.

“We’ve got a lot of things to be thankful for,” Sinyard said, adding that the challenges faced locally are ones other communities in Georgia also must deal with.

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