The Effingham County Ambulance Oversight Committee met to discuss the purchase a set of Surface Pro tablets with Map software installed to help EMTs locate calls in more timely manner. According to County Board Chair Jim Niemann, the purchase, which will be through the County Board, is simply to give EMTs the tools they need to do their job. The ambulance service used by the County has not been willing to purchase the computers themselves.
Mike DePoister, Chairman of the Ambulance Oversight Committee, blamed the “uptick” of incidents on new drivers simply not knowing the area.
Part of the issue is getting 911 compatible computers and software. Niemann was confident that the models the board is considering will fit the bill and testing will be underway within the next two weeks. Additionally, inquiries are being made to the cost of the devices. Niemann said that board had the money the pay for them.
The board was also updated on football season procedures during their meeting. Discussion was had on procedures for getting an injured player to the ambulance for transport. It is a common misconception that ambulances can simply drive on wet a football field without getting stuck. Injured players need to be taken to the ambulance either via golf cart or stretcher.