Early Tuesday, this site received a lengthy 'Letter to the Editor' type message, critical of the Allegany County 911 Center and the manner in which ambulances are sent to medical calls. This site has a long-standing policy not to publish unsigned letters, which this was. However, the Town of Scio writer appeared to have sincere concerns regarding ambulance response times and the method in which mutual aid departments are called out...sometimes leading to a lengthy response time while a patient awaits help. The writer suggested a concern that numerous agencies were called out, when others are available and ready to assist.
Rather than posting the message, WNR decided to pass the concern to Allegany County Sheriff Rick Whitney, since his Department oversees the 911 Center and EMS dispatch. Instead of creating a social media frenzy, it appeared preferable to send the concern to the person who could initiate change, if indeed change was considered appropriate. I appreciate the concern expressed by the writer, but it was the collective decision of this site to send it to the Sheriff who, unlike I, could actually make policy changes, if indeed they are warranted.
This was a proper call. I could have posted the letter and watched the 'hits' skyrocket as social media took control. However, since there appeared to be a legitimate concern, it was best to hand the matter off to someone who couldn't just talk about it, but could 'right the ship' if indeed that was necessary. It's called public service. A writer shared a concern about a public safety issue. I have absolutely not control or input on this matter...so the decision was made to pass it on to someone who actually has real authority, not past and wannbe authority.
