Town of Eva awarded $20k grant for helipad
The Town of Eva has received a major boost in emergency response capabilities thanks to a $20,000 grant awarded by Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource, Conservation & Development Council (AMRV RC&D.)
The grant funding enabled the construction of a dedicated helipad for use by first responders, enabling faster and more efficient air transport of patients in critical condition. Already in use, the helipad has proven to be a vital resource in emergency medical situations, improving response times and access to care for Eva residents and surrounding communities.
A formal announcement and ribbon cutting was Friday at the new helipad, which is located next to the Eva Family Health Clinic.
Photo by Jason Holmes/Eva Volunteer Fire Department
A medical helicopter sits on the new helipad in Eva.
The event was attended by local elected officials and members of the community, as well as Sen. Arthur Orr, Rep. Scott Stadthagen and representatives of the AMRV RC&D Council.
“Working with the town, working with the county commission, and of course those of us from the state, teamwork pays off, and that’s what we see here,” Orr said. “Through the auspices of RC&D and what they do for our state through the regional councils, and those who serve on the regional councils, very important work that we are able to make this happen for the good of Alabamians across the state.”
“We have needed this for a long time,” Eva mayor Gary Livingston said. “In the past, we’ve had to land medivac (helicopters) wherever we could. Variations in terrain and weather, and the ability to clearly communicate meet-up locations with first responders are all factors that can cause delays. We knew we needed a well-known, consistent location for an ambulance to meet the copter.
“When we started researching the cost of this project, we learned that it was going to cost about $50,000. The city of Eva didn’t have a budget line for that. The city partnered with the local volunteer fire department and we each covered part of the cost, but there was still a need for about $20,000 to complete the project. That’s where our state legislators, working with the RC&D council, were able to help.” Livingston said.
“This helipad could make the difference between life and death in certain emergencies,” said Wes Stephens, town councilman, in his address to the group that assembled for the ribbon cutting ceremony. “We’re grateful for the support from AMRV RC&D and our state legislators who recognized the need and helped bring this project to completion.”
“Even before it was fully completed, this helipad was playing a lifesaving role. It was utilized at least four times to transport patients for much needed critical care. One recent case was a one-year-old child who was brought into the Eva medical center with RSV. The child was in respiratory distress and required immediate transport to the pediatric ER at Huntsville. Having the helipad on site and ready, is one reason that child is still alive today,” said Stephens.
“Victims of serious car accidents in Eva and the surrounding rural area now have a way to be transported more quickly for critical, lifesaving care. Heart patients that need to get to Huntsville Hospital quickly, whether they are coming from the surrounding rural area, or experiencing a heightened emergency during ambulance transport from Cullman Medical Center to Huntsville, will benefit from the helipad and the 20-30 minutes that can be saved,” Livingston added.
“This helipad enables the more efficient air transport of patients, saving every precious minute of the ‘Golden Hour’ after a traumatic injury,” Stephens said.
