How can the Aiken County Council even think about opening, equipping and staffing a new Emergency Medical Services facility on the southside on Citadel Drive when the Aiken Emergency Medical Services cannot fully staff the eight EMS facilities they already have?

On a recent shift only four of the eight ambulances were manned due to a shortage of qualified personnel. Does the Aiken County Council have a plan in effect to fully man all nine stations 24 hours a day?

There have been at least five and possibly six paramedics (the highest trained medical responders), some long-time employees, leave Aiken county EMS within the past 45 days for other agencies. Other paramedics have been removed from riding the ambulances to perform desk jobs. Apparently there will be only Emergency Medical Technicians (the least trained) responding to calls for emergency medical assistance. Normally there is a paramedic and an EMT on each call response.

Is this the level of emergency medical services that the citizens of Aiken County deserve?

If you, the citizens of Aiken County, want better emergency medical services, contact your Aiken County Council representative.

Rhea Morris, Aiken, S.C.