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DEL.ICIO.USLack of EMS at games a bitter pill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Stockbridge running back Dominique Smith was injured during last week’s game, it looked serious.
There was no ambulance nearby, and it took emergency medical personnel a long time to reach Smith, who had a broken leg.
Fans and school officials became concerned.
“I think it took too long,” said Stockbridge principal Eric Watson, who was at the game Friday. “Coach [Steven] Collins and I are in contact with [Henry County athletics director] Justin White to find out why we can’t have medical personnel at the games. I think I know the short answer: there’s not enough of them. I was shocked myself.”
Watson estimated it took about the same time as a normal emergency call, but he doesn’t think that’s fast enough.
Neither does White, who said he is working to improve response time.
“I’m in the process of gathering additional information about it,” White said. “It’s something I felt was a need, but it’s a matter of funding. I’m going to set up a meeting with the public safety person in our county. I was told by my supervisor that the local EMS director made a decision not to have ambulances at the games several years ago.”
You make the call: Have you had injury problems and slow responses at your games? Should all counties figure out a way to staff high school football games with ambulances and medical personnel? Is there a way to make this happen?
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