Trauma One

May 2000 Table of Contents

TRAUMA ONE AMBULANCE SERVICE
Daniel Wiltfang

Trauma One has operated 24 hours a day seven days a week since September of 1995. After four years we have established nearly island-wide coverage with five ambulance units on line. We have done this with a four year total of $110,782.05 as per close of our 1998-1999 fiscal year and filed with the Ministry of Finance. Of this, $16,000 was contributed by Aunt Bea Shirley of Man-O-War Cay.

The level of incidents per year had dramatically increased and we have now run 572 calls through 31st March 2000. We have been in 10+ calls per month since January of 1999. During March of 2000 we ran 24 calls with 17 resulting in air evacuation by our local charter services and at least two other air ambulance services. We have even assisted in direct jet evacuation from Marsh Harbour to London, Ontario. All of the 24 calls have required three of our staff and average nearly three hours per call for a man hours total of 216 hours during March alone. This does not figure in the additional time spent in routine daily maintenance, service, disinfecting procedures and more which equates to an additional 60 hours per month minimum. This represents a March total of nearly seven 40-hour weeks.

Trauma One needs financial support to continue to function in the best interests of the Abaco community. We remain nearly $12,000 in direct debt. We are currently trying to gain support to be prepared before the coming hurricane season and into the future. We have submitted a detailed proposal to the Ministry of Health and are awaiting a response. We anticipate nearly 250 calls during the current fifth year of operations. We need $50,000 to respond at this incidence level. (Year one, 63 calls; year two, 95 calls; year three, 145 calls; year four, 162 calls; year five to 3rd April, 107 calls.) This will barely cover vehicle operations, replacement of response equipment, and disinfecting procedures following each response. This does not address additional expenses for training or replacement of any heavy equipment or main line systems.

We also have an option to upgrade our system that requires $50,000. This would directly address our heavy equipment needs for what we believe will be the next five to seven years. This is a one time offer. therefore, we are in direct need of $112,000.

We have already done much with conservative capital and the generous support of a few individuals. We need the involvement of the entire population. We had suggested an annual contribution of $25 per person on Abaco with a base figure of 10,000 persons. This would have generated $250,000 per year for a four year total of $1 million. Had we received this nominal support from the entire population we would already have the finest-equipped working system in the region and a viable disaster response network.

We have demonstrated through commitment and performance what is possible. Now we need your help to make the future of this service a reality. We sincerely hope that you will consider the value of the service provided and respond. Accidents and natural disasters are not planned. We have to be ready before an event. After is too late. On behalf of the Trauma One response Team I ask you to please consider a contribution to support our continuing efforts.

Trauma One Ambulance Service, PO Box AB-20594, Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Phone: (242) 367-2911.

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