Who you gonna call?

Once again, we are experiencing central Virginia’s four-season climate—all in the same week. Regardless of the fine weather on Wednesday and Thursday, overturned trucks in different parts of the county kept Goochland deputies and fire-rescue providers busy. The wreck of a propane tankers, which closed roads in and around Courthouse Village for most of the day was especially challenging. Saturday’s “snow cones from the sky” weather turned some local roads into skating rinks and caused multiple serious accidents. Our deputies and fire-rescue providers have had their hands full and we are grateful for them. We don’t think about emergency response—until we need it.

Before their February 5 meeting, the supervisors got a close look at the county’s newest ambulance, which will be stationed at the Hadensville Company 6 Fire-Rescue Station.

Goochland Fire-Rescue's newest ambulance

 

Its sturdy Ford chassis is the first in Goochland’s EMS fleet to be equipped with four-wheel drive and liquid, self-leveling suspension. A mechanical device to lift stretchers into the ambulance is another innovation on the apparatus; these help prevent back injuries for EMS providers. The new ambulance also has its HVAC system on the roof and contains no wood products, making it safer for all. The price tag for the vehicle was $273,000 before any equipment was added.

Another interesting feature of this vehicle is its number—606. To those familiar with the Goochland Fire-Rescue vehicle designation system, using a 6 for Hadensville seems normal. However, as Interim Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr.  explained, this represents a region-wide change in vehicle designation.

Goochland is designated 6 in new region wide emergency apparatus numbering system. 

On complicated emergency scenes several jurisdictions may respond.  If Goochland sends its engine 1 and Henrico also sends its Engine 1, it is hard for dispatchers to differentiate between them. To simplify identification of apparatus for dispatchers a system using a jurisdiction specific numbering system for emergency response apparatus has been established. Henceforth, Goochland emergency vehicles will be designated with the initial digit 6. For instance, what was previously known as engine 51 (from Courthouse Company 5) will now be known as Engine 605; ambulance 10 (from Manakin Company 1) will now be known as 601.

Ferguson reported that Goochland has been award a Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant of $137,230 to help fund the next ambulance and $400 toward the purchase of opioid overdose reversing medications.

D. E. "Eddie"Ferguson, Jr. interim Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief

Goochland fire-rescue is a combination department comprised of both volunteer and career –county employee—providers who work together to serve the citizens. As demand for service increases and volunteer participation wanes, additional providers are needed to keep pace. Hiring people with the requisite skill and certifications has proved challenging, said Ferguson. He reported that of three candidates offered positions in December, only one proved to be certified and began work on February 1. Efforts to fill funded vacancies are ongoing. Since July 1, Goochland Fire-Rescue received over 110 employment applications, over 25 percent of which were unqualified.

Goochland County Administrator John Budesky said that Ferguson, currently Deputy Chief EMS, will serve as interim fire-rescue chief until a successor to William MacKay, who retired as of January 31, is identified. A job description will be posted, and candidates interviewed.