WHITE CO, IL (WFIE) -
A Southern Illinois town is struggling to keep ambulance service up to speed.
They say they need volunteer emergency medical technicians.
The Grayville Ambulance Service serves more than 1,500 people in White & Edwards counties.
Right now they only have three EMTs.
"It's concerning having only three of us. We want to provide a professional, reliable service for this community and we are striving to do so," said EMT Matthew Travous.
Travous says when he started a year and half ago, the service had around seven volunteers. Now, it's long hours.
"Any given week, I might work two, three, upwards to five 24 hour shifts," Travous said.
Travous say it's mentally and physically taxing, but with no other help EMTs are just doing what they can.
"There's a tight budget. We are in the same boat as a lot of small towns. It's hard to keep service going. We're trying to do everything possible to keep the ambulance service and the other services, too," said city council member Andy Brock.
Travous says it's nearly impossible to provide mutual aid to other towns. Just a call in the county and the city at the same time is too much.
"We have Interstate 64 that runs on the outskirts of town. Lucky in the year and a half I've worked here, I haven't witnessed a bad accident, but there's the potential for a bad accident with multiple casualties," Travous said.
"I think they need more staff. I think they do in case something real bad happens here," said resident Terry Cox.
Making it an ambulance service that needs bandages of its own.
"Seconds do matter when it comes down to life and death. Every second counts," Travous said.
Officials say there are several certified EMTs in town who they hope will volunteer.
The ambulance director says she is currently thinking about forming class to certify more EMTs, but that training takes 16 weeks.
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