Warning signs: 'Limited resources may affect fire & EMS'

　     JEFFERSON COUNTY- Plans are underway to launch an awareness campaign in rural parts of Jefferson County. The owner of Stat Care EMS says at a meeting next week they'll consider introducing the idea of posting warning signs in places like Bevil Oaks, China and Hamshire Fannett.

     The signs will warn that due to limited resources fire and EMS may not be available.

     There's an ambulance company that's agreed to cover the rural areas and the owner says the signs are not necessary.

     Lyska Shaffer says her husband built their house 56 years ago using only a hammer, a saw and a straight edge. They raised five children here and now have 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary.

      "The first 55 years are the hardest. After that it gets easier," said Lyska Shaffer.

     The past few years have been difficult. Mr. Shaffer suffers from severe heart trouble and diabetes.

      "Course I call 911. They come immediately. They help him up the steps or pick him up off the floor if his blood sugar is low and he's passed out," said Shaffer.

     Shaffer was surprised to hear her community would be posting warning signs that EMS and fire may not be available.

     "No I wouldn't worry. I don't think those signs fit our present community right now," said Sean Fitzgerald.

     Last August Stat Care EMS announced plans to stop service in parts of rural Jefferson County. Since then, Southeast Texas EMS has provided service in the area.

     "We have us as primary. The last three months we only missed one call. With the current support from the fire departments and the other ambulance companies we've got it covered," said Fitzgerald.

     Owner Sean Fitzgerald says he has five units and a staff of six people. He says in August their response time was 26 minutes, in September; 19 minutes and October; 15 minutes.

     "We had to learn the area the back roads," said Fitzgerald.

     The Shaffer's don't worry about who's responding as long as someone is there.

     People who live in the country don't enjoy the benefits of city life but the Shaffer's say it's a small price to pay to live in peace and quiet as long as the ambulance keeps coming.

     "Lord yes, I don't know what we'd do without them. We've been here 56 years. We used to not have fire or EMS. Now I wouldn't live anywhere else with the fire and EMS the help available to us," said Shaffer.

     The meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday night at the Bevil Oaks Volunteer Fire Department.

     KFDM News contacted the chief of the volunteer fire department in China.

     Doug Saunders says he learned that EMS calls in the rural parts of the county have increased from 400 a year to more than 2,000 calls a year. Right now they're just working on some language for the sign. Saunders says the point is not to scare people it's just to warn them and they're still in the planning stages.