Come Monday, all Burns Flat EMS crews are resigning after struggling with low wages.
The 2,000 residents in Burns Flat will now wait for an ambulance.
“In the rural setting, we are so essential because hospitals are miles away and unfortunately the state does not deem us as essential employees,” Burns Flat EMS Paramedic Rayanna Fisher told Kfor.
EMTs earn $4.58 per hour, with extra compensation for 911 calls during their shift.
"To our community: this is not your fault, and it is not the fault of the medics. Every single person involved cared deeply about keeping EMS in Burns Flat alive. Sometimes, despite everyone’s efforts, the weight becomes too much to continue carrying. Please know this decision did not come from a lack of love for this town. If love alone could have kept these doors open, Burns Flat EMS would have survived forever. Every siren, every late-night call, every missed holiday, every life saved, and every hand held in someone’s worst moment was done because we cared deeply about this community. Burns Flat EMS was never just an ambulance service. It was built by people who gave pieces of themselves to keep others safe." officials wrote in a statement.
Sinor EMS, another provider based in Clinton, Sayre, and Hobart, will be taking over for the Burns Flat, Foss, and Sentinel areas, reports indicated.
"SEMS also recognizes concerns regarding response times and has divided the area into response regions to allow the nearest available ambulance to respond whenever possible. SEMS is also coordinating with local first response agencies to improve response efficiency and patient care during this transition period," officials wrote in a letter.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.