W-burg Planning Quick Response Service for Medical Emergencies

Following the closing of the Williamsburg ambulance service in late December, many Williamsburg residents are asking what will happen if there is a medical emergency in their community.

Emergency responders in the community are working on an answer.

A response from the main station of the Hollidaysburg American Legion Ambulance Service (HALAS) would take 15 to 20 minutes for the drive to Williamsburg. In acute medical situations such as cardiac arrest, this is not quick enough. The long response would not permit the best care to the person in need.

To address this need, Williamsburg ambulance members have been working with HALAS on a plan to offer a Quick Response Service (QRS). QRS is non-transport emergency medical care. QRS personnel respond to emergency medical calls and can often arrive before an ambulance does. The responding personnel can provide basic medical treatment until an ambulance arrives.

Williamsburg’s fire company is fitting a brush truck to answer QRS calls. QRS trucks can be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED), oxygen, tourniquets and other trauma-related equipment.

Members of the former Williamsburg ambulance service said there’s a better chance of the QRS being established now that they are working with HALAS.

“We are looking to get this soon, in Williamsburg,” HALAS Chairman Robert Craig said.

This sponsorship is nothing new with HALAS. HALAS has a similar sponsorship with fire company Station 30 in Geeseytown.

HALAS Executive Director Jessica Sorge said, “for Williamsburg, they are a community that pulls together when things go bad. This is something interesting for the community. Everyone wants to get emergent care as quick as possible and this gives the opportunity to do just that – especially for situations like a bad car accident or a cardiac arrest.”