EMS Shortages: County Brings In Help From Other Agencies

    A staffing shortage and increased call load has resulted in Lake EMS calling on agencies from around the state to offer support to its operations. EMS announced the move on Monday, through social media post stating the move was made to ‘relieve our first responders who have worked tirelessly to serve our community.’
    Responders from Sarasota County and City of North Port have come to Lake with their trucks and equipment to support Lake EMS’ normal operations. “We can’t thank the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, and our South Florida partners enough for providing this assistance!” the post concluded.
    Expanding on the situation, county officials blamed the situation on call volume brought about by COVID 19 and a shortage of employees to man ambulance units.
    “We are experiencing an unprecedented call volume for this time of year and staffing shortages due to injuries and COVID-19 related quarantining and sickness. Lake County Fire Rescue EMTs and paramedics and Lake County Emergency Medical Services are working closely to staff ambulances and the assistance from our South Florida partners will help to fill any gaps while offering relief to our first responders who have worked tirelessly to respond to 911 call and serve our community,” said the county in a statement provided by Lead Public Information Officer Samantha Shylkofski.
    County staffers denied claims that Lake County was in any form of ‘emergency status’, or that the state had pushed the move on the county.
    “This was not in response to a ‘state of emergency,’ Shylkofski said. “As we currently do not have one in place. In order to fill the gaps in the meantime, Lake County made a request to the Florida Division of Emergency Management and received assistance.”