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One ambulance crew on Tortola!

- Dr. Georges says EMT crew uses ambulance on breaks to respond to emergencies
It was revealed at the SFC that there is only one active ambulance crew on Tortola and in the event of more than one emergencies, the Fire Services has to be called in to assist.
Dr. Georges, Acting CEO of the BVI Health Services Authority stated that only one ambulance on Tortola is working satisfactorily with the second one working somewhat.
Dr. Georges, Acting CEO of the BVI Health Services Authority stated that only one ambulance on Tortola is working satisfactorily with the second one working somewhat.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The island of Tortola currently only has one active ambulance crew to respond to emergencies with the crew having to use the ambulance even on their break time to ensure that they are available for emergencies and only one ambulance is working satisfactorily.

This was disclosed by Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Dr. Ronald Georges during the 2012 Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations.

According to Dr. Georges, there was only one active Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) crew and when the crew was on break they used the ambulance. He further explained that if they received a call while on break they could immediately respond.

Dr. Georges said from time to time, one might see the ambulance outside of a food establishment.

In light of his statement, Territorial Member Archibald Christian enquired whether such a practice was acceptable to which Dr. Georges responded that it was something they had to do based on their level of staffing and the fact that they had one ambulance crew. The Acting CEO added that recently the BVIHSA was able to work with the Fire Services where most of the firemen were trained EMT’s to have a second backup crew in case they needed to have a call when the ambulance was out.

While all together there are five ambulances, it was also disclosed that only one ambulance on the island was working satisfactorily with the second working somewhat, according to Dr. Georges.

He said the others are not working and are for disposal.

Pending: Emergency Medical Services

The Member for the 3rd District Hon. Julian Fraser RA, enquired about the status of the Emergency Medical Services which was to be taken over by the Fire and Rescue Services.

The Acting CEO in responding stated that the last meeting in which he attended was in 2011 and there were no subsequent discussions. He further stated that the consultant was retained by the Ministry of Communications and Works to investigate the issue and he had not been called to any meetings subsequent to that.

The member for the Fifth District Delores Christopher enquired whether Fire and Rescue was to take over fully or to assist with emergency Medical Services.

Dr. Georges replied that discussions at the time were for emergency call handling at the Fire Station and they were also looking at the development of an emergency medical service throughout the Territory. He stated that whereas there was an ambulance stationed at Peebles Hospital, they were looking at other ambulances in the other districts.

He had stated that presently the Fire Service ran the ambulance on Virgin Gorda which was owned and maintained by the BVIHSA.

13 Responses to “One ambulance crew on Tortola!”

  • ausar (16/04/2012, 08:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So much money spent on BIWater and we only have one functioning ambulance? Is it because the Members of the House and their families are filthy rich , their need for ambulatory services are nil? Where are the government's priorities? Oh yeah, I just remembered- The "Great Wall" of Seas Cow's Bay, road "islands" in the east, exorbitant travel expenses, and parties for rich friends.
    • seekabay (16/04/2012, 08:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      and dont forget your mom too
    • weed (16/04/2012, 10:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Jacka$$ "AUSAR" not one dime of tax payers’ money was spent on the biwater project. Fraser was such a good negotiator and that is why I have faith in him and the VIP that it was a private investment and biwater will not get one dime until water start flowing to us. Kudos to Fraser!!!! You NDP paid bloggers would not stop with you lies and propaganda. If this was platinum they would have never posted those lies about their NDP. VINO it seems like you all selling out just to keep you all reputation of being fair and balance…ayo better get with the programme as not one negative comment get posted on the NDP site about NDP sins….
      • go in thier face (16/04/2012, 14:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        suck it to dem silly NDP cowbird..Frazer you still the liberator
      • big daddy Tom (16/04/2012, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I AGREE WITH YOU 'WEED'..ON FRIDAY I SENT A COMMENT TO PLATINUM STILL NOT POSTED ON MONDAY TODAY I SENT THE SAME COMMENT UNDER A DIFFRENT NAME STILL NOT POSTED..YEAP NDP SITE BIG TIME....
        • only one? (16/04/2012, 23:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          but everybody know NDP and platinum are one!! what else is new....they need to do something about that one ambulance story
    • Iron Lion (16/04/2012, 11:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      you need to stop lying. BVIEC admitted to sending $3mil to order a generator which was to be used by biwater. we also agreed to pay biwater elecricity no matter how much fuel etc. goes up, for the duration of the contract. gas is now over $5 at some places in bvi. imagine paying for electricity and fuel variation and still paying for water. nonsense. we dont pay it for none of the companies already operating here why do it for them. biwater selling point was to do sewerage but they tell mark they can't deal wid dat until dem mek some money off water firs.
      • stop while ahead (16/04/2012, 23:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        stop it now NDP paid bloggers your spin and silly propaganda getting really ridiculous fool "IRON LION"
  • I don't get it (16/04/2012, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are four ambulances sitting in the fenced off vacant lot next to Quomar as well as a number of other government vehicles that have obviously been abandoned. It's insane that we have one functioning ambulance for the whole of Tortola and at the same time we're talking about expanding the runway so we can get more flights. What are we going to do if there's an incident with one of the existing smaller planes. One ambulance is obviously not sufficient, and it can't be in two places at once either.
  • ausar (16/04/2012, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "WEED", speak for yourself! Some of us aint that poor that we need a handout. We'll save those handouts for VIP-ers, those who now shedding tears over the VIP loss and their loss of petty contracts!
  • Diaspora (16/04/2012, 16:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVIHSA cannot be proud of this situation. The best that can be said is probably gross negligence. Total managerial failure and disregard of the health of Virgin Islanders and residents. This situation is urgent and critical and needed to be corrected yesterday. Our lives and health are too precious to be put at unnecessary risk. Someone need to held accountable and responisible. Is setting up and running a reliable ambulance service that complicated?
  • SUE CRUMBLE (17/04/2012, 02:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ambulance Crew don't need to go with the Ambulance on their breaks that is unprofessional and utter foolishness. This doesn't make them any more efficient at all;the point proven is that they are always on a daily gallivanting and joy riding out tax payers money. when the taxpayers call for assistance they to busy liming, they can't hear what the direction the taxpayers need assistance. They're liming or having their breaks in the West. Call from the West, taxpayers need assist in the West, they are too indulged in Delicious Pastry they cannot comprehend a clear message delivered. They headed East and assistance is needed in the West. Waste of taxpayers money and resources. Mr. CEO don't find excuses for them. Encourage them to do the right thing. Save some monies for the BVIHSA Bank for it is greatly needed.


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