The Success Of Rapid Air Transport and Qaulity Medical Care - Two People Playing Important Roles

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 7284

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Dec 09 2016 8:57 PM

DOTHAN - HOUSTON COUNTY:     This morning as I stood on the cold landing strips at Aero One looking at the helicopter, fixed wing aircraft and ambulance, I had to reflect over the past and present.

And the reflection reminded me of two long time men who have been involved in the emergency services today, and their beginnings were with Dothan's Pilcher Ambulance Service. 

Dr. Fred Pich

The Emergency Medical Director for, I think 18 Alabama Counties is Dr. Fred Pich. He currently serves as one of  the Emergency Room Doctors at Southeast Alabama Medical Center.

Dr. Pich started his emergency medical career with Pilcher Ambulance Service as a medic. As time progressed, Fred, went on to be one of the instructors of Emergency Medicine at Wallace College in Dothan. While at Wallace College, Fred made the decision to become a doctor. So he started the journey of education. While in school he married and his wife is a doctor. They have one child.

Dr. Pich completed school and returned to Dothan. And he has now become the Emergency Medical Director for this part of Alabama.

In talking today with Joey, the medical air fleet and it's success is also accredited to the work and dedication that Fred Pich has, beginning with his medic days, to teaching Emergency Medical at Wallace, to becoming a doctor, and returning back home to serve his community.

Dr. Pich has "hands on" experience in working scene's. He knows what the paid and volunteers go through in effort to save lives. And his dedication, along with many others, is saving lives and making sure people have a chance to live a quality life.

And his work to make sure those CRUCIAL MINUTES a persons has, all opportunities to that person and agencies are available, is valuable to all of the people who live and travel in this area.

Recently Dr. Pich, Bruce McNeal and Pilcher Ambulance worked hand in hand with Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza and Houston County Sheriff Chief Communications Officer Bart Blackman to make sure criteria is established to "auto launch" the air unit on certain calls.

The days of emergency units arriving on the scene, and then calling for rapid air transport are over.

When the 911 Center gets the call, based on the information provided to 911, the rapid air transport units are launched and circling the scene as the ground units arrive. If determined not needed, the air units return home. But "stand by" is already in the air when the emergency call is dispatched.

Dr. Pich is working hard to change the culture, with great resources and opportunities, for all providers to have these tools. And today's announcement and the success is accredited a lot to Dr. Pich's vision and hard work.

MARK REYNOLDS

Another person working hard for the rapid air transport is Mark Reynolds, a retired Dothan Fire Captain.

Fortunatley I have had the pleasure of watching both Fred Pich and Mark Reynolds begin and grow in their fields of service of emergency medicine.

All friends, Mark and Fred worked together at Pilcher Ambulance. Mark also getting his start with Pilcher Ambulance Service.

Mark worked his way through the Dothan Fire Department to Captain. He had opportunities to advance higher but made the decision to remain at the Captain level. That gave him still the hands on of working to save lives and property.

When the rapid air transport was being discussed, Mark having his time in with the Dothan Fire Department, developed the passion to become a medic on the air units.

Mark began to study and work hard, learning the additional skills and techniques of going above what a paramedic does, to become qualified to serve in the air rapid transport.

And today, what a peace comes over you, when you know that Mark Reynolds will be arriving in the air, and Fred Pich will be accepting you when you hit the emergency room doors.

And both Fred Pich and Mark Reynolds, in my opinion and knowing them at the beginning, they have worked hard and earned their marks on saving lives. That is their passion, their calling, and they make a difference.

TO ALL OF THE OTHERS INVOLVED IN RAPID AIR TRANSPORT

I do not know each and every person involved in the rapid air transport. So I am not working to single Dr. Fred Pich and Mark Reynolds above any other persons involved in the Emergency Medical management and treatment.

But like knowing Joey Pilcher since 1977, knowing Fred Pich and Mark Reynolds, knowing all of Mark's family and a lot of Fred's family, I know the hard work and dedication these men have devoted to save lives.

But each and every part of the system, from the original 911 call to the person who cleans the mess up after everything is over, all play important roles and contribute to the success.

And NEVER in emergency services do we want "look what I have done", "look what I can do", but "look what we as a team can do."

I have known, watched, and seen Pich and Reynolds in action. And I know that we are a better community, we are a better community with resources available to save lives.

ABBEVILLE - HENRY COUNTY 911, ABBEVILLE POLICE, HENRY COUNTY SHERIFF, ABBEVILLE FIRE - RESCUE AND OTHER AGENCIES

The following is meant to spotlight the Abbeville - Henry County emergency service providers. I have listened to call after call dispatched in Henry County area. These people have it down pat. They have it together.

They deploy auto launch on certain calls when the call information is received to 911. The law enforcement immediately establish landing zones, the fire and rescue establish patient care. The 911 Center has all resources in place and rolling.

The Abbeville - Henry County 911, emergency responders, and law enforcement are leading examples of working for the glory of saving lives as a team and not as individuals.

And I have heard numerous calls, they set the example.

IN CONCLUSION

The advancements of today could not happen and be successful without Dr. Fred Pich. His service and devotion is noted highly. Today Joey Pilcher had great things to say about Dr. Pich and his hard work above and beyond the call of duty.

And I am proud of each and everyone of them. Emergency Services is my passion. And I get very excited when I see and hear calls that involve saving someone's life, go as they should. That the injured or sick have had every human opportunity available to live provided to them in the emergency situation.

But the final decision does not rest in any of these hands, but in the hands of An Almighty, Living, GOD.

Thanks for all each of you have done. Thanks for allowing me to call you my friend and watch at a distance as you save lives.

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