Work Continues to Keep County Covered w/Ambulance Service

The Effingham County Board's Ambulance Oversight Committee Tuesday discussed continuing efforts to make sure the county is always covered with ambulance service.

Status Zero situations are noted when Abbott EMS, the ambulance service provider here, does not have a unit available. Abbott, though, has a mutual aid agreement with Jasper County Ambulance Service to provide backup service.

County 911 Supervisor Tina Daniels said there were five Status Zero incidents since the last Oversight Committee meeting; four of those in the morning hours.

There was also discussion about a system sent to City and County that is to provide information as to the location of the Abbott rigs. Daniels said the system isn't keeping track in real time, and Abbott officials said they would check with their IT staff about addressing the concern.

There was discussion about the rash of accidents in interstate construction zones, particularly the area between Effingham and Altamont. It was suggested motorists could possibly help the situation when they are being stopped in the zone by using the emergency flashers on their vehicles. One emergency service provider said using the flashers seems to get the attention of the motorists coming up on the stopped vehicles. In their words..."It helps people wake up!"