Jobs well done

 

At the start of the December 1 meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisors, three people who are retiring at the end of 2020 were recognized for their service to the county.

Dr. Arthur C. “Ace” Ernst served as volunteer Operational Medical Director for Goochland Fire-Rescue from 2000 to 2020. During this time, Goochland’s emergency medical service transitioned from an all- volunteer agency through contractual support to today’s combination system of volunteers and career providers.

 

Dr. Arthur C. Ernst and OMD badge

Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. explained that rescue squads operate under the license of their operational medical director. Serving in that capacity for Goochland, Cumberland, and Ashcake Volunteer Rescue Squad Ernst, while an active emergency room physician, Ernst also acted as regional medical director for the Old Dominion Emergency Medical Services Alliance (ODEMSA). ODEMSA is one of 11 Regional Emergency Medical Alliances in Virginia, served by 25 hospitals and approximately 100 EMS agencies. (Visit https://odemsa.net/ for complete information.)

Ernst’s understanding of the challenges faced by rural EMS, said Ferguson, allowed Goochland’s basic emergency medical technicians, EMT-B, to employ aggressive lifesaving patient care protocols including Epi-pens; nebulizer breathing treatments; and Narcan administration when Advanced Life Support providers were not available. Ernst trusted our advance life support providers (ALS) with aggressive lifesaving protocols. His oversight of EMS operations in Goochland and attention to detail ensured that all providers received ample training to deliver patient care of such high quality that Goochland EMS has repeatedly been recognized for its excellence.

Working closely with the Goochland Sheriff’s Office and dispatch Ernst played a vital part in last year’s implementation of emergency medical dispatch training dispatchers to provide prearrival emergency care instructions to 911 callers. This began saving local lives as soon as it became operational.

Ernst has been a true champion of and cheer leader for EMS providers with his unwavering support, said Ferguson. Excellence in EMS delivery does not happen by accident. It is the product of careful oversight, planning, training, and dedication to community service made possible by people like Dr. Ernst.

At the end of his remarks Ferguson presented Ernst with something he had wanted for years, an official OMD badge. Ernst presented Ferguson with a toy ambulance. He thanked the community for welcoming him and giving him the opportunity to work with Goochland rescue squads.

 

Keeping Goochland rural does not happen by accident either. Support for our agricultural community is the prime task of the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District.

Pam Pleasants, who served as the office administrator for the MSWCD since 1989. Her duties included oversight of the Virginia Agriculture Cost Share Program which contracts with local farmers to transition annual cover crops to permanent vegetation and stream exclusion for cattle to improve the quality of water and soil in Goochland.

Board Chair Susan Lascolette and Pam Pleasants (r)

During Pleasants’ tenure, more than 61 miles of streambank have been fenced to keep cattle out and 334 acres of riparian (river bank) buffers have been created under her management of $2,366,335 of cost share funds.  Fifteen flawless external audits of the MSWCD finances were conducted on her watch. In 2019, she was recognized as the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Association’s Chaffin Employee of the Year Award at its annual conference. Serving with 30 elected district commissioners from both Goochland and Powhatan, Pleasants provided historic perspective to their deliberations.

 

Kelly Parrish, the county’s human resources director, who will retire at the end of the year was thanked for her service. County Administrator Kenneth A. Young announced that Jessica Rice will succeed Parrish.  Rice, who comes to Goochland from Fluvanna County, will start work on January 4, 2021.

County Administrator Kenneth Young, Susan Lascolette, Kelly Parrish.