Imagine calling 911 in the middle of the night as your loved one struggles to breathe, only to be told that no ambulance is available. Imagine the fear and helplessness as minutes stretch into an eternity. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it’s happening right now in Scioto County.
A desperate 911 dispatcher recently had to ask a woman to drive her own mother to the hospital because there were no ambulances available. This is not an isolated incident. Dispatchers are doing everything they can, calling every available emergency service, but without EMTs to staff ambulances, they can’t send help.
The problem? A shortage of EMTs, Advanced EMTs, and Paramedics. And the only solution? You.
A Crisis Decades in the Making
For years, Scioto County relied on volunteers—ordinary citizens willing to undergo EMT training and serve their communities. Many of these roles were historically filled by young people, eager for camaraderie and a sense of purpose. But today, the landscape has changed. Many young adults are turning to online spaces for socialization, spending hours gaming and chatting virtually instead of building real-life connections through service.
But this isn’t just about young people. Able-bodied adults of any age can train as EMTs. You don’t need to be in peak physical condition; you just need a willingness to step up. Every day that passes without new recruits means more dangerous delays, more families left in fear, and more lives at risk.
The Consequences of Inaction
The numbers are staggering.
- A 77-year-old in a medical crisis waited nearly 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.
- An 83-year-old was left in distress while dispatchers scrambled to find any available EMS.
- A 93-year-old woman lay in pain for over half an hour before help could reach her.
Each of these cases represents a life that hung in the balance—lives that might have been lost. These are not the rare exceptions, we have over 150 reports of similar incidents.
The Call to Action
Right now, volunteer fire departments across Scioto County are desperate for recruits. Without more trained EMTs, response times will continue to increase. The solution isn’t in some distant policy change or funding increase. It’s in you—the person reading this, the neighbor next door, the friend who wants to make a difference.
If you can spare the time, if you have the heart to serve, now is the moment to act. Training as an EMT isn’t just about learning life-saving skills—it’s about being part of a team, forging real-world connections, and becoming a hero in your own community.
The next 911 call could be for someone you love. The question is: Will someone be there to answer it?
Join your local volunteer fire department today because the only solution to Scioto County’s EMS shortage is you.