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.
