Chapin, SC 04/18/2023 (Paul Kirby) – A group of concerned Chapin area residents have scheduled a meeting with the community and its elected leaders regarding the lack of access to paramedics in that area of Lexington County. The organizers say they intend to hold a public forum to discuss this with their State House of Representative member Jay Kilmartin and others leaders at the meeting which is scheduled for next Monday, April 24, 2023, at the Timberlake Country Club’s clubhouse from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m.
The organizers say that delays in access to emergency paramedic care for ambulance transport when needed is an issue that has in many cases been life-threatening. Although this problem is not isolated to just the Chapin area of the county, citizens who live out on the Amicks Ferry Road and Old Lexington Highway peninsulas of the Chapin region say that it is not uncommon to have waits approaching an hour before an Advanced Life Support, one crewed by a paramedic that’s trained to start IVs and other invasive procedures, can arrive on scene.
This is not just a Lexington County problem. A nationwide shortage of paramedics has plagued the country over the past few decades and seems to be getting worse, not better. In Lexington County, all firefighters are First Responder certified and respond to more medical calls than they do fires. First responders are certainly helpful but are limited in the scope of the assistance they can provide by their training and state laws.
Everyone who is concerned about this issue is asked to attend. Citizens will also have the opportunity to offer testimonials about their own experiences and hopefully some will have solutions to offer as well.
Below are all the details of the meeting and its agenda:
When: Monday, April 24, 2023, 7 PM-9 PM
Where: Timberlake Country Club, 222 Timberlake Dr. Chapin, SC 29036
Agenda:
7:00 Welcome, Introductions, Definitions & Scope of the Problem
7:05 Community Testimonials (1-3 minutes/per person based upon how many)
7:30 Chapin Paramedic Access Team Overview and Proposed Solutions
8:00 Questions and Answers
9:00 Adjourn
Community Service Providers with representatives invited to attend:
Chapin Health & Medical Providers
Chapin Police Department
Chapin Mayor and Leadership
Chapin Schools Representatives-PTO/Principals
Chapin Businesses and Chamber of Commerce Leadership
Crooked Creek Recreation Center
Lexington Medical Center Representatives
Lexington County Representatives
Administrators
Emergency Services Directors (Fire/Medical/911/Sheriff)
Emergency Management Services
County Counsel
Fire Station Representatives
Media
Please RSVP TO SPEAK AT THE MEETING via email to: hburkhart1964@gmail.com
For questions or comments, please contact either:
Robin Legg - robinlegg3@yahoo.com
Heather Burkhart - hburkhart1964@gmail.com or 626-665-8199
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