Citizens urge Citrus County to increase ambulance services for elderly and emergencies

Concerns over emergency medical services took center stage at the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners meeting on December 10, 2024, as residents voiced urgent calls for improved ambulance availability and competition among service providers.

Brian Arnn, a Pine Ridge resident, shared a personal story highlighting the critical need for advanced life support (ALS) units in emergencies. He recounted a distressing incident involving his father, who suffered a heart attack and received inadequate care due to a basic life support (BLS) unit being dispatched instead of an ALS unit. Arnn emphasized that timely access to proper medical resources could have made a difference in his father's outcome, urging the board to consider the importance of competition in emergency services to better serve the growing community.

Echoing Arnn's sentiments, former health officer Ernesto Rubio reminded commissioners of the dire situations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, where ambulance availability was critically low. He stressed that having more resources is essential, especially during crises, to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Sabrina Watson raised alarm over potential monopolistic practices in the ambulance service sector, warning that such trends could jeopardize public safety. She urged the board to prioritize the needs of citizens over profit motives, cautioning against decisions that could lead to delays in emergency response times.

The discussions underscored a pressing need for the board to evaluate the current state of emergency medical services in Citrus County, with residents advocating for increased resources and competition to enhance community safety. As the board deliberates, the implications of their decisions could significantly impact the health and safety of the county's residents.