Lives At Stake
To the editor:

Over the last week or so, there has been much controversy over having ALS (Advanced Life Support) based in Cameron County for our citizens.

Since moving back to Cameron County several years ago, one of the huge areas of need I noted was rapid medical response of advanced care in the emergency setting for the sick and injured. Being involved in health care for more than 15 years, I know first-hand that the initial 10 minutes during a significant cardiac event are crucial in determining whether a person lives or dies.

Don't get me wrong; the emergency response provided by Cameron County Ambulance (of which I was a member in the 1980s) has been outstanding over the years. Unfortunately, they are unable to provide ALS due to their limitations of (currently) being a Basic Life Support agency only.

Likewise, St. Marys has done a fine job providing the Advanced Care Services to supplement Cameron County Ambulance. But, think of being able to save more lives and enhance patient outcomes if the service were based here in Cameron County, as opposed to 25 to 35 minutes away.

Anyone who has taken a basic CPR course is taught that the key to survival is an established "chain of survival." A vital link of that chain is rapid advanced care. Time is of the essence. When one thinks of rapid, 25 minutes does not comes to mind.

Obviously, a select group of citizens from Cameron County, for reasons unknown, tend to think differently. Rather than affording the opportunity for all parties involved to have a chance to sit together and discuss what is in the best interest of our community and our people, they would rather end the discussion before it ever begins.

This is a huge disservice to all who live in Cameron County. Where does the fear lie in having the ALS stationed here in Cameron County? And why do we as citizens of Cameron County tolerate anything less than what neighboring communities have?

There is also mention of Cameron County not being able to fiscally support its own ALS unit and claims it is "cost prohibitive." If this is the case, then why is it stated that without Cameron County's ALS ties, St. Marys might be forced out of ALS altogether due to financial considerations?

Obviously, these are contradictory statements and reason to make one believe that Cameron County can sustain an ALS unit. The issue is not who makes the money or who doesn't, it is about saving the lives of our residents.

We have a wonderful community, full of family, friends and neighbors who care about each other. So why not provide a service to our citizens that enables our town and county to remain healthy, viable and alive? If it were your loved one, would you want to wait the extra time that could be the difference between life and death?
Tonya L. Aversa, RN
                Emporium