Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5231/-1/140/
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Acting Chief Executive Officer Says EMT's Are Valiant Officers
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Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Meridith Gumbs, says the Emergency Medical Technicians at the Princess Alexandra Hospital are a cadre of valiant officers, working hard to save lives and that all persons on the island were highly indebted to them.
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Meridith Gumbs
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In delivering an address on EMT week, she called on the general public to congratulate them for their invaluable contribution to Anguilla’s health-care system.
“The goal of EMT intervention is to evaluate rapidly a patient’s condition and maintain a patient’s airway, breathing and circulation by CPR and defibrillation,” she stated. “He or she responds to many types of emergency calls including medical emergencies, hazardous materials exposure, childbirth, child abuse, fires, rescues, injuries, trauma and psychiatric. EMTs possess practical emergency medical knowledge and skills that can be deployed within a rapid time frame.”
She assured the EMTs that the Health Authority valued their hard work and would spare no effort to ensure that they were well-equipped with the knowledge, skills and equipment carry out their work in a professional manner.
“It is in light of the critical role which EMTs are called upon to play in our health-care system that I want to address briefly the question of training,” she went on. “We are cognisant that training is a process that develops individuals and inculcates the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that service is delivered at an acceptable standard. Hence, the Health Authority is committed to providing, where possible, the relevant training opportunities for all EMT staff. To this end, it continues imploring Government’s assistance.”
Mrs. Gumbs spoke on another matter: “ I feel compelled to stress that on the approach of an ambulance, with audible signals by siren, exhaust whilst or bell, the driver of every other vehicle should yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to, or as close as possible to, the left-hand edge or curb of the road. Our people need to realize that when the ambulance is driving with lights flashing and sirens blaring it is because one of their neighbours may have asked for help. Incidentally, the law requires motorists to yield to every emergency vehicle. In this regard our motorists need to be vigilant and prudent.
“Having said that, the drivers of ambulances also need to be vigilant and prudent. They must refrain from being reckless even though the right-of-way, during emergencies, is theirs. Vigilance and prudence go along way in reducing the incidence of accidents, the anxieties of patients and their families and the loss of lives and property. In many instances they avoid financial burdens to the public and the organisation for which the drivers work.”