Feature photo cutline: This empty lot on Florida-Georgia Highway, just north of downtown Havana, will be the new home of the local EMS station.
After several months of attempting to find a new location for the Havana Emergency Medical Services (EMS) building, the Gadsden County board of County Commissioners announced earlier this week that the EMS service will soon be relocating to a new structure.
With the board’s full support, District 1 County Commissioner, Eric Hinson (whose area of service includes Havana) requested and secured funding for a new EMS building.
This building will ensure that EMS services will continue to have a foothold in Havana and that the town’s residents can receive urgent care during their medical emergencies.
According to the county commission, the new EMS facility will be located in the currently-empty lot at 6805 Florida-Georgia Highway, directly across from the L&J Lounge.
The county says that the new EMS facility will include a full kitchen, common area, dining area, two bedrooms, and a bath – all with an estimated price tag of $132,000.
This move comes about due to the challenges that Havana EMS has been experiencing in the current facility. These challenges include a structurally unsafe work environment for EMS workers.
“These impediments have put a strain on the workers who already operate efficiently with limited resources. Understanding these difficulties, Commissioner Hinson worked with the Board to secure funds from the 2019-2020 budget for the new building,” writes Gadsden County liaison Leslie Steele.
“Our EMS first responders are the foundation of Gadsden County’s emergency response system,” Commissioner Hinson said. “They are the bedrock that ensures that someone will be there to answer the call when an emergency arises. We need to do everything within our power to assist and support our local EMS personnel as they undertake their critical mission in serving and protecting our communities.”
“On behalf of the Havana Town Council, I’d like to express appreciation to Commissioner Eric Hinson and the Gadsden County Commission for ensuring that county funds are set aside to help county EMS remain in Havana,“ said Mayor Decorkus Allen. “We have a great town, and it’s due in part to our citizens, and the ability for our town and county governments to work together as partners in service.”
The Havana EMS has been in operation for 10 years and currently provides assistance in the Havana area as well as throughout Gadsden County.
Ashley Hunter – editor@prioritynews.net