Addressing concerns about EMS services
To the editor:
As a resident or visitor of Pine Island, you may be concerned about the effects the Matlacha Bridge Project may have on emergency medical services. Lee County Emergency Medical Services (LCEMS) is committed to providing the best and most state of the art emergency medical services to Pine Island before, during and after the bridge project.
Currently, LCEMS provides Pine Island with a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year ambulance presence on the island. In addition, LCEMS has partnered with Pine Island Fire Department to provide a paramedic on the rescue truck servicing the St. James City area. When the ambulance that is stationed on Pine Island receives a call for service, LCEMS immediately begins to shift resources to provide another ambulance to the island.
Archer Western, the contractor for the Matlacha Bridge Project, provides notification directly to LCEMS when there will be a lane closure. The lane closures affect only one lane at a time and Archer Western provides priority access both on and off the island for LCEMS ambulances. In the event there is a complete shutdown of the bridge, LCEMS operates its own air ambulance helicopter which can reach the island in minutes. LCEMS also has the ability to request air support from other agencies in adjacent counties. In April 2011, LCEMS will be adding a second helicopter to augment the current air operations. Additionally Pine Island Fire Department operates a fire rescue boat that can be used to shuttle patients across Matlacha Pass should there be the need. I hope this information will provide you comfort in knowing that we are here to serve you at all times. Contingency plans are in place should the bridge construction project temporarily restrict or obstruct ambulance access to Pine Island. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 533-3911.
Respectfully,
Scott M. Tuttle, MSM, EMT-P
Deputy Chief
Operations Manager
Lee County EMS