911 call leads to investigation of local emergency response time

KENTON, Tenn.–Officials in Obion County are working to solve their lack of EMS resources during emergencies after one local man almost died because no first responders were available in Obion, Gibson, and Dyer counties.

Christy Moore said her father, George Garner, was suffering from they believe was a heart attack on June 29. When her family called 911, there were no ambulances available to take him to the hospital.

“And they just told us that they didn’t have anybody available to take the call, that all the ambulances were out, and I said can you please get a first responder or somebody here that can help him. She kept toning and toning and nobody answered,” Moore said.

Here is part of the first 911 call that Moore’s brother, Jeff Garner, made to Obion County 911:

“911 what is your emergency?”
Jeff Garner: “Yes ma’am, my name is Jeff Garner I need an ambulance, my dad is not good and says he ain’t gonna make it, he is a heart patient”

The Obion County dispatcher attempted to call for mutual aid in Gibson County.

“Ok I’ve called Gibson County, and all five of their ambulances are out, ok? I’m trying to get a hold of either Tri-Cities or Dyer County, Ok?”

Obion County Executive Director Sherri Hanna said at this point the dispatcher also tried reaching Air-Evac, but still no one was available.

“We sat there and sat there, and we kept going back and forth on the phone and finally we managed, me and a neighbor, managed, and my brother, managed to get him in the car,” Moore said.

Around 30 minutes later, Hannah said another 911 call was received from Garner’s wife, saying they were on their way to the hospital.

Mrs. Garner: “Yes ma’am, we are on the way with my husband.”
911: “Yes ma’am. The ambulance was headed to your house, ok where are you?”
Mrs. Garner: “Right now we are fixing to go down Bingham Hill.”
911: “Ok ma’am, the ambulance was coming from Gibson County ok, so I really need you guys to either go to the hospital or stay in one spot so we can find you.”

During the call the dispatcher continued to try and set up a rendezvous point with the Garner family, however they decided not to stop and wait for the ambulance, but continued to the hospital in Union City according to Hanna.

Since that night officials have been investigating the situation.

“Originally we thought we had a dispatch problem between the two counties, but that’s not the case here, it is a resource and logistics problem,” Kenton Vice Mayor Danny Jowers said. “Not enough ambulances available to answer calls if they are out of town.”

Jowers said they are working on possibly certifying and training Kenton firefighters to be first responders and certified to call an Air-Evac, as well as other ways to solve the problem throughout the area.

Garner returned home from the hospital Friday morning.

Right now officials said there are only two ambulances that serve Obion County.