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Complaint lodged against HC EMS
Published Tuesday, February 9, 2010
WINTON – One citizen is upset about the operation of Hertford County Emergency Medical Services.
Cora Hoggard, a resident of Ahoskie, appeared before the Hertford County Commissioners Monday morning to express her concern about the employees and operation of EMS following the recent death of her mother.
Hoggard said she called 9-1-1 because of a health issue with her mother and said it took too long for the ambulance to arrive.
“They said they arrived at 12:09, but that’s not right,” she said. “They didn’t get there until 12:30 or 12:35.”
The call reports, which Hoggard provided as documentation, showed that Hertford County EMS was dispatched at 12 midnight and arrived at the scene at 12:09 a.m. The report further indicates that EMS left the scene with the patient at 12:22 a.m.
Another report, this one from the Ahoskie Police Department, showed that officer M. Kellett arrived at the scene at 12:03 a.m. and departed with EMS as 12:22.
Hoggard also said that she worked in a convenience store and alleged she had seen EMS employees in the facility who would finish eating before they responded to a call.
“I’m not the only one who thinks EMS is not running right,” Hoggard said. “That’s the word going around Hertford County.”
She further stated that she knew she couldn’t bring her mother back, but wanted to make sure the county took corrective action with EMS.
“What about the next person,” she asked. “I stood there and watched my mama die. My mama might have died anyway, but they didn’t try.”
Hoggard said being an EMS worker was a calling and that people who did the job should want to, comparing it to firefighting as a job where people move quickly and risk their lives to help others.
She complained about the leadership of the department and said she believed it was run better when another director was at the helm.
“I have been living here for 13 or 14 years and I appreciate what the county does,” she added. “I do want something done about this.”
Hertford County Commission Chairman Johnnie R. Farmer said the board would investigate the situation.
“First of all, I’m sorry about the loss of your mother,” he said. “Secondly, we will take this into consideration and investigate it and take whatever corrective action we need to take.”
Commissioner Curtis A. Freeman also said he wanted to see the issue investigated and asked for a copy of whatever documentation Hoggard could provide.
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Comments
Posted by bbdrum24 (anonymous) on February 9, 2010 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not a new situation. My mother called 911 when my father collapsed. Not only did it take 30 minutes for the EMS to arrive but the 911 operator mistakenly called my mother's number back.
Just like Ms. Hoggard I truly don't believe my father would have lived if the EMS had arrived sooner but for some other person that may be the case. Something needs to change in their procedures.
Posted by velvetung84 (anonymous) on February 9, 2010 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a past hc employee and i must say i have never seen any of my coworkers delay their response time to finish eatin. now if she seen a crew not get up when a call came out then it was because it was the other crews turn or they were closer to that residence! the only time i can say our time has been delayed is because of directions or if it was a scene where LE was needed! Its funny how this lady is making up times when the computer and recorder records times WHENEVER there is a call and when ems lets dispatch know what we are doing and when we are coming and going! I mean i understand that her mom was in need of help but there is no need to stretch the truth when other people have made it there life to help people who dial 911! AND THIS WOMEN IS GOIN OFF OF THE WORD AROUND TOWN!!!!! That sound like some high school mess!!!!! As for leadership i can say that Penny Deans is a good director and i believe she makes sure her staff is on point!!!!! Whenever i worked and my crew got a call that sounded like it was something wrong she made sure she was on the phone or radio to make sure everythang was 10-4 or if we needed her assistance! It hurts me to see HCEMS geting such a bad review and complaints when no matter how bad they get talked about if you needed help right now and you just posted a very nast and ugly comment about HC, they will still be on there way!!!! we ALL are human and cant fly to be somewhere in 5secs. Before you complain and down what Hc does, you should spend a day or week in their shoes and see how they try to please every one. thank you.
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