WYTHE CO, Va. – The Lead Mines Rescue Squad covers about 10,000 citizens and more than 250 miles in Wythe County. This can cause the squad's ambulances to get run down more quickly than normal.
But a new grant is helping the squad purchase a new vehicle for their fleet.
Ambulance number 6-A has run it's course. This outdated vehicle was constantly in need of repairs. Emergency crew members also say the cabinets, seating and other life-saving tools inside need revamping...
"They're going to be driving through creeks and very bumpy rolls and maybe going through cow pastures. That takes wear and tear on vehicles. So you might say the ambulance is a 2006 model with X miles but at the same time those are hard miles," said Jeremy Farley, grant coordinator.
A grant totaling $156,632 will enable The Lead Mines Rescue Squad to buy a new ambulance. The grant was awarded to them by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.
The new ambulance will be taller and wider in order to give more room for patients during emergency situations. It's something they need to respond to calls in more than four areas in the eastern part of Wythe County.
"We have Interstate 77 and 81 going directly through here. So that puts a unique strain on our low-key local lifesaving crew. They serve the general population but there is also 75,000 vehicles that pass through the localities," Farley said.
As part of the grant agreement, the Lead Mines Rescue Squad must make the ambulance available to service calls every day, all day.
"Lead Mines Rescue Squad has both volunteer and career members. and any time you call 911 whether it's 3 a.m. or three in the afternoon, they'll respond," Farley said.
The new vehicle will be rolling into the garage in a few months.