By: Jennifer Britt
Tucker county EMS Medical Director, Dr. P.S. Martin, of the WV EMS Coalition updated the Tucker County Commissioners of the dire need for funding for the county’s EMS. In explaining the lack of funds and personnel to the commissioners Martin said: “EMS is forced to run as a business with its hands tied”. With only two crews in the county the income EMS could receive from transports isn’t feasible. EMS has to be readily available for emergency calls.
The EMS is one call, one wreck, or one emergency from tying up the two crews and nobody else can get sick during that time, call 911 and expect crews to respond when they cannot. Two crews are not enough. Martin said, “EMS is healthcare in the community, not public safety because there isn’t a local hospital” and it is essential the Commissioners to come up with alternative plan for funding besides the $210,000 already allocated from county coffers.
Currently the EMS only gets paid if the patient is transported. EMS would love to do hospital transports, doctor appointment transports etc. to make the necessary funding. Martin is hoping the recent levy will pass because without it Martin does not know about the future of the Tucker County EMS. “It profoundly scares me” said Martin. Commissioners stated they understand the need and are working with state legislation to find a solution.
Sheriff “Jake” Kopec also presented the Commission with update on the Sheriff’s department. Kopec stated there were six traffic tickets and a total of 17 warning citations issued last month. Kopec reported there were 17 vehicle assists and seven vehicle crashes severe enough to file reports. Kopec also reported the new officer is in the Academy and will be graduating on April 1, 2022. Commissioner Rosenau commended Kopec on a job well done and expressed appreciation for the deputies showing pride for their county.
The school resource officer, Sgt. Teter, was given praise by both Kopec and the Commission. Since implementing Teter in the schools they have been able to deter incidents from happening in the schools, tobacco and marijuana use is down, and he has become a mentor for the kids. Kopec believes “the children are our future” and says by deterring kids from drugs at an early age helps deter them at later stages in their lives.
In a recent letter from TCHS Principal James Cork addressed to TC Sherriff’s Office, Cork on behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of TCHS, as well as the community wanted to sincerely thank the Sheriff’s office for their support. Cork expressed the support has always been vital and the contribution to the weight room revitalization shows the desire to support the community. Cork also thanked Kopec for Teter who has been a great addition to the school. Cork said he looks forward to continuing and building the partnership.
PVFD Chief Kevin White stated to the Commission PVFD helped in assist at a recent chemical diesel spill on the Davis Bridge and that COVID number are dropping. White put in a request for adopting an Office of Emergency Services Council (OESC), which the Commission approved. White has several applications for the OESC and will be processing them in the upcoming weeks.
White will also be joining forces with the Seneca Rocks Quad County to help update some needed safety issues in areas such Dolly Sods, Otter Creek, and Douglas Falls. They will be working with the Forestry Department for updating safety signs, trail maintenance, safe accesses to sites, work on the Trussell Bridge and a parking lot before the bridge, all to help minimize unsafe conditions.
White finished by thanking the Commission for the support and the continuing work they put into supporting the EMS and PVFD with funding. White said, “Without funding we cannot work” and working as a team makes a difference.
The next meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be March 9, 2022 at 9 a.m. in the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom.
