When no one else picked up the call, Portsmouth Fire Department medics answered—literally.
After a New Boston resident suffered a medical emergency, local dispatchers were left scrambling. EMT-Ohio didn’t answer the phone, and Portsmouth Ambulance reported no available squads. With seconds counting, New Boston turned to Portsmouth Fire — and thankfully, they were able to respond within minutes and transport the patient to the hospital.
This isn’t the first time SCDN has reported on the growing EMS shortage in Scioto County, where rural areas have seen patients waiting up to an hour or more for help during emergencies. While this latest incident had a quick response, it underscores the deep cracks in local emergency services.
Officials continue to urge citizens to step up as volunteer EMTs or pursue emergency medical training. There’s a bit of good news on that front — Portsmouth Ambulance announced this week that a new class of EMT trainees has passed their courses and is preparing to take state certification exams.
With the county’s emergency system stretched thin, every new EMT couldn’t arrive soon enough.