Some Triad counties are getting extra help to respond to emergency medical calls as communities deal with the latest spike in COVID-19 cases.
The help comes in the form of additional ambulances and crews as part of a contract the state has with FEMA.
North Carolina officials submitted a request for around two dozen trucks to help counties experiencing paramedic and EMT staff shortages and increases in call volume. This week, Forsyth County received three ambulances and extra staff to support its team. The crews will work in 12-hour shifts and help during peak call times.
Daren Ziglar is the director of emergency services for Forsyth County. He says it will provide much-needed relief.
“They are extremely overworked, they are extremely tired and it's just like the rest of the health care system, it's truly ... it's really teetering right now to keep it going,” says Ziglar.
Guilford County will also receive three ambulances. Officials there say about 20 to 25 percent of their emergency field personnel are out because of COVID quarantines or exposures.
“It's something that really helps us buy time,” says Scott Muthersbaugh, deputy public information officer for Guilford County Emergency Services. “It gives us a chance to build up some other options, so we have looked at increasing some hiring and doing some shift bonuses and things along those lines to try to really stem the tide from all directions.”
Currently, state officials say the additional ambulances are scheduled to remain in North Carolina counties until Feb. 3. Other North Carolina counties that are also receiving the additional trucks include Wake, Mecklenburg and Rowan.
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