Proud Of Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue EMT’S

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jan 21 2018 2:18 PM

COTTONWOOD:   Several months ago the Captain of Cottonwood Ambuance and Rescue retired and Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue turned in their license to operate.

From that point I had the opportunity to step in as Captain of Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue.

Some of you may and may not be aware, but Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Director Chris Judah allowed me to come to work with that agency in a part time role. One of the primary objectives was to work with the UNPAID PROFESSIONAL Fire and EMS in Houston County.

Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue had three members, one of which was Nancy Peacock, a charter member, Sabrina Adams, and Nick Alford.

We started by doing a deep cleaning and re-stocking of the ambulances, and cleaning of the station. 

Nick Alford spent many hours at Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue working on the ambulances and supplies. On January 8 at 12:01 AM, after receiving the license to operate back from the State of Alabama, Cottonwood Ambuance and Rescue started operations again.

Nancy Peacock has focused on administrative duties. Sabrina has helped where she could, but being a single mom of two her time is limited.

But two young men have jumped in and worked countless hours in order to make Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue a go. Those two are Nick Alford and Trey Hillis.

Before Trey came on board Nick worked hard getting the rescue unit ready to run. Then Trey came on and they have worked very long and diligent to be prepared and professional. 

They have been very conscious of response times. When transports did not warrant emergency, they did not transport emergency. When advanced life support was needed, they had advanced life support rolling.

This morning a call came in. They were asleep and woke up when the call came in. From bed to scene, Nick and Trey were on the scene in 8 minutes. That folks is awesome.

The main two young men who have been the main service providers and made the service available has been these two guys.

Nancy makes runs also. But she has kept the administrative functions together. 

There has been others that have helped and I want to thank each of them. But I wanted to highlight Nick and Trey. I was excited this morning with the great response time. AWESOME!

Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue has no money. The Houston County Commissioners fund the 5 volunteer units with $ 21,000.00 a year done in quartet installments. Cottonwood Rescue missed the first quarter and looks like we will not get it. 

So to operate money is needed but not there. We are working to make things happen. But if anyone wants to donate and help Cottonwood Rescue, your donations and help is needed. Please consider tax deductible donations.

It cost money to operate. While we do bill it takes forever for insurance and Medicaid to pay. And the ambulance has to roll until then. And we do not collect all that is billed.

Cottonwood Rescue does not respond to the medical emergencies thinking of money. Response is to save lives.

THANKS to Nick, Trey, Nancy, Sabrina and all who has pitched in. I am honored to be associated with such great people.

Thanks to the members of the Houston County Commission - Mark Culver, Chairman, Curtis Harvey, Doug Sinquefield, Jackie Battles and Brandon Shoupe, to Dothan - Houston County Emrgency Management Director Chris Judah, Cottonwood Mayor Ken Hamilton and Town of Cottonwood Council Members, Cottonwood City Clerk Augusta Welch, Cottonwood Fire Chief Randy Hall and members of Cottonwood Fire Department for their assistance.

DONATIONS MAILED TO POST OFFICE BOX 447 COTTONWOOD, AL. 36320

Most of all to the residents of Cottonwood and the service area, thanks for your support. We hope you never need us, but if you do...call 911 And we will be there.

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