Life will be a little safer on St. Thomas, thanks to the V.I. Taxi Association. The association is giving $53,000 to the Department of Health to buy a new ambulance.
The check will be presented in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
The ambulance situation has been precarious for some time with old equipment and breakdowns causing inadequate service.
During Finance Committee hearings in July, Health Commissioner Wilbur K. Callender presented a budget that included the mandated 15 percent budget cuts, but senators expressed concern about the lack of ambulance service.
On two recent occasions ambulances were not available on St. Thomas and once on St. Croix, according to Dr. Herb Sanders, director of Emergency Medical Services, who testified at the hearing.
"I am especially pleased to know that a private enterprise like the V.I. Taxi Association has come forward to make this generous offer to assist us in the Department of Health in securing a much-needed ambulance for St. Thomas," Callender said in a release from his office.
He expressed hope that it would lead the way for some other business or community-minded individuals on St. Croix to make a similar donation.
Callender pointed out that with the separation of the Health Department from the hospital, ambulances still fall under the jurisdiction of Health – even though they're parked at the hospital.
Ken Hermon, president of the V.I. Taxi Association, is expected to make the presentation Thursday.
