Lead Mines Rescue Squad was recently awarded a $4,000 grant through the Community Foundation of the New River Valley.
Specific funding for Lead Mines Rescue Squad stemmed through the Ghia Borg Memorial Health Care Fund and Wythe County United Legacy Fund.
The grant received will help Lead Mines Rescue Squad upgrade the IT infrastructure, which includes purchasing new computers, tablets, and other hardware needed for completing our call reports. They are used to complete the electronic health record charting, as well as billing, for all patient transports.
The current tablets being used by the agency are close to five years old and are becoming antiquated as newer models and software becomes available. With this grant money, Lead Mines Rescue Squad will be able to replace current tablets, purchase two additional tablets, as well as a new desktop computer, and records scanning hardware for the station. This will ensure efficient transport record completion so that they can be promptly reimbursed by Medicare and private insurance payors.
Lead Mines Rescue Squad serves the eastern third of Wythe County, which includes portions of both Interstates 77 and 81, the New River, and all of Wythe County’s portion of the New River Trail. As a result, Lead Mines responds to roughly 1,500 emergency calls per year, which include medical emergencies, traffic accidents, water rescues, and serious injuries. With the high number of calls, it is key that electronic health records can be created and managed efficiently.
“Without support of benefactors and community organizations, our agency would not be able to provide the level of service that our communities expect from us,” said Chuck Parnell, Captain of Lead Mines Rescue Squad. “Through the support of this grant award, our IT infrastructure can be upgraded to meet the software needs of our charting software and ensure dependability in the equipment and systems round the clock. Community support, like this grant program, allows us to address infrastructure needs that ensure the longevity and efficiency of our agency.”
The Community Foundation of the New River Valley awarded over $184,000 in grant funds to 56 nonprofits in the New River Valley. This year the Community Foundation of the New River Valley received over 100 applications. The max any grant could receive through the organization was $4,000 to help through the ongoing pandemic.
“We are grateful to the Ghia Borg Memorial Healthcare Fund and the Wythe County United Legacy Fund, who were the benefactors for this grant award,” said Cody Jackson, Chairman of the Lead Mines Rescue Squad Board of Directors. “Through community support from organizations and groups like these, we continue to strive to provide the highest level of service to our communities!”
