Official Website of the City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas

 

PRESS RELEASE – 5-3-06

HEADLINE:  THE CITY AND YOUR EMS.…MOVING FORWARD

            Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Johnny Campbell, Director of Operations for the Marble Falls EMS.  Our Horseshoe Bay EMS and the Marble Falls EMS are operating partners.  Prior to 2003, the Lake LBJ MUD provided our EMS service, but the single ambulance just wasn’t sufficient for our growing community. James Huie, former President and Director of Lake LBJ MUD spear-headed the election for Horseshoe Bay to enter into an agreement with the Emergency Medical District.  This proved to be a significant advancement in emergency services.  “We were then able to utilize backup services from other districts and benefit from more sophisticated training programs” Huie said.

            Director Johnny Campbell emphasized the importance of staying ahead of the growth curve.  Marble Falls provides backup for Horseshoe Bay with the response time at approximately twelve minutes.  Eighty percent of our calls are answered in eight minutes or less.  Being with Marble Falls EMS doesn’t make us second in line.  “That’s just not the case,” says Horseshoe Bay Fire Chief Danny Wooten.  “Marble Falls EMS provides critical mutual response in case our unit is involved in a call.”  With each and every incident complex decisions have to be made and, as always, time is of the essence.

            Initially, the victim is evaluated and treatment is administered to stabilize their condition.  If the flight ceiling is above 500 feet for the entire distance, life flight to a major hospital is considered.  In most cases, the victim is taken to either the Llano or Burnet emergency room (depending on proximity).  Director Campbell emphasized that loved ones or friends should not take the victim to the fire station.  They should wait for EMS to arrive.  EMS units have codes to all gated areas in Horseshoe Bay, so no one should experience delay because of an entrance gate.  Horseshoe Bay West residents have a fire sub-station that also can be the first responder for EMS.  It is important to note the role of the City in this process.  EMS service costs 3 ¼ cents per thousand property valuation or $130 per year for a $400,000 property.  The City provides the facility to house and maintain the ambulance, equipment and personnel at the main fire station and provides back-up support during emergency calls.  On the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department staff are two certified paramedics and ten certified medical technicians.  The City conducts annual performance reviews and an annual review of the Marble Falls EMS.

            Interestingly, two or three of the approximately 30 calls per month that are received by the Horseshoe Bay EMS are from the Marriott Hotel.  This fact exemplifies the impact that growth has on our services and infrastructure.  Your City officials fully understand the importance of our EMS service and will continually strive to insure that you have the very best.  The first item of business listed in our Comprehensive Development Plan is safety for our citizens.  We are committed to this responsibility.

Contact us by phone at 598-8741 or on the web at www.horseshoe-bay-tx.gov.          

 

Respectfully submitted

                                                                        Buddy Schrader

                                                                        Public Information Officer

 

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