Jack Fisher, Executive Director of Medic 1 Ambulance in Benton Harbor has an urgent message for anyone and everyone suffering a health emergency. Do not delay making the call to 9-1-1 in a time of critical need, regardless of the current pandemic.
Fisher is also President of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services, and he and his colleagues in the industry are cautioning Michigan residents to not risk their lives in an emergency by avoiding calling 9-1-1 due to the COVID-19 situation.
Failing to make the call when you are at your most critical need can have devastating effects.
Fisher and his fellow ambulance operators in the association serve 67-percent of Michigan counties. He says they are seeing a troubling trend of people fearing to call 9-1-1 for heart attacks, strokes and other medical emergencies.
Jack says, “We don’t want to see people develop a permanent medical disability or die needlessly due to fear of COVID or burdening the medical system,” and adds, “Every minute counts in a medical emergency and people should still call for help, even during this pandemic.”
Michigan is not alone in this dangerous trend. Modern Healthcare magazine reported that an American College of Emergency Physicians poll done at the end of April found that 29-percent of those surveyed avoided medical care due to COVID-19 concerns. In another survey by Morning Consult, 75-percent of Americans surveyed said they avoided healthcare because they were concerned about stressing the system.
Michigan’s ambulance providers are prepared to safely care for patients with medical emergencies with protective gear and disinfecting protocols in place. EMS professionals are urging residents not jeopardize their health by avoiding calling for assistance.
Ron Slagell, President & CEO of Huron Valley Ambulance and past-president of MAAS, says, “Individuals did not stop having heart attacks and strokes when the coronavirus appeared,” and adds, “While it’s important to take the pandemic seriously, signs of serious health problems should not be ignored or pushed off.”
The Michigan Association of Ambulance Services is a statewide trade association representing and advocating for ambulance services. MAAS members were responsible for more than 700,000 or 56-percent of all ambulance transports in 2018. MAAS members also provide community paramedicine, ER diversion and 9-1-1 services in several areas of Michigan.
For more information, you can visit online at: www.miambulance.org.
