Equipment upgrades for EMT needed in Horry County
This is neither a complaint nor opinion, per se, but rather a heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Recently, the Gator Hole Plaza in North Myrtle Beach was evacuated for a gas leak. Through the immediate response of Horry County Fire and Rescue and Officer Laurie Hale, business associates, doctors and patients were evacuated safely, the leak detected; and, subsequently, the gas source was closed.
The only kink in the process was that the EMT unit was not equipped with human CO2 detectors to determine if any evacuee had inhaled too much gas. Why? Because they were “in the shop” for lack of funds allocated.
What should have been a process-perfect procedure was marred because Horry County officials did not close the circle of safety for its citizens.
Let's keep in mind that every citizen is entitled to receive the utmost in care, no matter the cost. What if one of the evacuees was a child or infant? Is it worth the cost to be sued or better to have the fire and rescue fully equipped to carry out the processes they are well-trained to perform?
Let's put on our vision caps, Horry County, and ensure every station is equipped with state-of-the-art human CO2 detectors.
Judith A. Yannarelli, Longs
This story was originally published November 9, 2016 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Equipment upgrades for EMT needed in Horry County."