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to the County Commissioners also. He said that the rescue squad was informed that the DOI <br /> transcript contained misinformation and could not be trusted. He contacted the Department of <br /> Insurance this morning to verify this claim, and he received an email back from the Senior <br /> Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Insurance stating, "Our transcripts <br /> are an official representation of the successful completion of the courses given credit for." <br /> He continued with his statement: <br /> "A couple of years back, in the middle of the night, Orange County 9-1-1 received a call <br /> from a 12-year old having a severe asthma attack. Orange County has exhausted its internal <br /> resources. The Orange County Rescue Squad was ready to respond that night, but was never <br /> called. An out of County ambulance was sent in for the call, and was delayed, trying to find <br /> the location. The Orange County Rescue Squad could have been on the scene in no more <br /> than 12 minutes had it been contacted. This is what happens when the Orange County <br /> Rescue Squad. That night, a mother lost her child. <br /> The leadership of OCRS met with Emergency Services Monday at 10:00 a.m., and <br /> during this meeting, the only documents provided to OCRS was a copy of the franchise, a <br /> copy of the expired County contract, and the State laws governing EMS. None of the <br /> documentation we asked for regarding the stand down was provided. As of yet, the rescue <br /> squad has not received the letter that Colonel Montes de Oca referred to, or answers to <br /> questions regarding the stand down. <br /> OCRS has provided documentation of its training showing that it has met the minimum <br /> standards set forth by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the North Carolina <br /> Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. The stand down needs to be <br /> rescinded immediately and OCRS returned to full active duty. OCRS will continue to work with <br /> Orange County Emergency Services to conduct an audit and review of our members and <br /> training to lay this issue to final rest. <br /> Our members, including myself, feel that the stand down of the rescue squad is putting <br /> citizens of Orange County in danger. We feel that taking us out of service was not done <br /> properly. Again, no documentation has been provided before and during the stand down. <br /> How many incidents have to occur within Orange County to leave people to wonder whether or <br /> not OCRS could have made a difference, had they been asked to respond? How many more <br /> players have to wait nearly an hour on a football field, or elderly patients who have suffered <br /> from a fall lying in a parking lot for nearly an hour waiting on an ambulance? <br /> Once again, Chief Matthews expresses his regrets for not being able to attend this <br /> meeting. If any of you have any questions, or would like to speak with him directly, please feel <br /> free to give him a call." <br /> Commissioner Nelson thanked Colonel Montes de Oca for the work Emergency <br /> Services has done pursuing this matter since the last meeting. He said that it is a step in the <br /> right direction. He thanked the OCRS and said that he does understand the desire to undo the <br /> stand down, but everyone needs to go beyond this in a clear and thoughtful way and keep <br /> cooperating and sharing information. <br /> Chair Jacobs asked Colonel Montes de Oca to address when the information about the <br /> stand down would be provided. Colonel Montes de Oca said that this issue was not raised at <br /> the meeting that he was aware of. He will get with Chief Matthews and get clarification. If <br /> there is information that has not been given, he will certainly get it to them. <br /> Colonel Montes de Oca read the memorandum from him to the County Commissioners, <br /> which was in the agenda packet: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES <br />