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I had to look up Macwahoc Plantation on the map after reading the BDN article about the gaps in EMS service in Maine. The sudden death of a loved one is harsh and when the reason is that no help came, it’s tragic.
The bigger picture is this: If you live in rural America, services to you, whether it’s fire protection, EMS, home care nursing, and just about every other support service, are available in theory but often not in reality. If you live in rural Maine, even though your community life is exceptional, in times of need, help is not guaranteed.
I volunteered in EMS during a time of growth in the system. But volunteerism has declined over the past two decades. Paying for emergency responders to sit at the station costs more than many small towns can afford. Also, EMT skills can become dull in rural services where call volume is low.
One night, my heart went on a sprint after I crawled into bed. My husband called 911 and was surprised that my town’s one ambulance was out on a run. Dispatch couldn’t say when any help would come. (We got in the car and all worked out fine.) This underscores another reality of rural EMS services: An ambulance can be tied up on a call for an hour or two or three, and therefore unavailable for another call.
Know who your emergency fire, police and EMS folks are. Support them by voting your support at town meeting, expressing your gratitude that they are ready to come to your aid, and maybe even sending in a donation.
Mary Offutt
Little Deer Isle