'Disappointment' drives criticism of Gold Cross

Editor:

This letter is in reference to my March 5 letter, which was to be targeted at the public and to Columbia County commissioners - who never replied - and not directly at Gold Cross EMS. My question to all is how can our tax dollars be used for supplying private contracts in Richmond County with our subsidized ambulances. When Gold Cross says it is using these units for mutual aid, I can tell you that is false.

Am I a disgruntled ex-employee (of Gold Cross)? No! Disappointed, yes, by the way our county government ignores the issues at hand. Our units in this county are running numerous unjustified transports outside our county.

As far as the helicopter is concerned, I have used it several times and it has taken more time than it (should). For example, not long after I quit Gold Cross, I called for the helicopter for two patients who needed rush delivery to the trauma center. I was about 15 miles out and it took Gold Cross helicopter almost 25 minutes to get to me because the helicopter had to first leave Doctors Hospital and pick up a crew member who was taking a class at the Government Complex. Working in this county was great, but when I had to neglect this county and be unethical that wasnt going to be!

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Now to address Gold Cross Operations Director Vince Brogdons comments (letter, March 16): I take false accusations personally, and it is very unprofessional behavior on the part of a director of an EMS service and supposed leader. When I placed my letter (of resignation) I could substantiate my statement and still can to this day, unlike Brogdon. As far as me walking off the job, that is totally untrue: I ran two more calls, one being a 911 and the other being a VA to MCG call - which, I may add, was not a Columbia County citizen as Brogdon states, nor was a Richmond County unit called to cover the (territory) as Brogdon states.

Troy Bedichek

Grovetown