Hyde County recently received a $50,000 donation from Rose Acre Farms toward the purchase of a new ambulance.
Rose Acre Farms is an Indiana egg producer whose Hyde County operation is one of the company’s largest producers.
Deputy Interim EMS Director Chris Pereira said the new van purchased with the donation is one of three new vehicles added to the EMS fleet. The other two are used F450 ambulances, he said, adding to a total of eight ambulances for the county. Two of those are on Ocracoke and six are on the mainland, he said.
Typically, he said, he has three medical responders all year on the island, including one paramedic or an advanced medical technician, and he’s working toward a total of four staff and four vehicles on the island this summer.
Hyde County is one of the largest counties in the state geographically and residents must travel to neighboring counties for emergency room services.
The addition of this new ambulance into the Hyde County EMS fleet will mean continued reliable medical services to Hyde County’s citizens and visitors alike, said Hyde County EMS Chief, John Wilson.
“Emergency services are essential to communities, and we were glad to help our friends in Hyde County purchase a new ambulance,” said Tony Wesner, Chief Operating Officer of Rose Acre Farms. “Our Hyde County farm is one of our largest egg production facilities, and Hyde County itself covers a large area, so it was a natural fit to lend our support to ensure Hyde County’s emergency services grow.”
Hyde County Board Chairman Earl Pugh Jr. praised Rose Acre Farms for supporting the communities.
“Hyde County EMS has recently made great strides and the new ambulances will advance their system’s momentum by improving their ability to respond to the needs of our residents and visitors,” Pugh said.
Hyde also was recently noted for the Vial of Life program, which ensures that vital medical information is readily available to EMS personnel should they have to come to a resident’s house.
Islanders who wish to participate in this program should contact the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department to pick up stickers, a plastic bag, and a form on which to record their medical information before they need EMS help.
