County wants volunteers with wheels

The Columbia County Emergency Management Agency is recruiting volunteers who have four-wheel-drive vehicles to assist the county in foul-weather conditions.

Officials are hoping to recruit at least 100 volunteers with four-wheel-drive capabilities to do tasks like transport emergency medical personnel, take medicine to the elderly and perform other duties in case of heavy snow storms or other road conditions more suited to 4X4s.

"Every year in November we begin preparation for possible ice and snow storms," said Pam Tucker, Columbia County Emergency Services Division director. "Last New Year's, when it snowed for three days, those volunteers really helped a lot by doing things like taking supplies to nursing homes, taking people to the hospital and things like that."

All volunteer drivers must have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and a good driving record. Tucker says that each volunteer will be thoroughly checked out before being added to the list.

"Now we don't use them like a Radio Cab," said Tucker. "We're not going to be transporting people to a night club. We coordinate everything from (the EMA office). We'll give them pick-up times and coordinate everything so that they're on the road as little as possible."

Tucker says that she has had 30 volunteers sign up already. Among them are members of the county's dive team, sheriff's department and fire department.

Others wishing to volunteer can contact the EMA office at 868-3303, or e-mail ptucker@co.columbia.ga.us. Tucker said there is also a link on the county's Web site at co.columbia.ga.us. where volunteers can sign up.