Ballad Health donates cardiac monitors to Unicoi County EMS

Ballad Health donated four cardiac monitor-defibrillators Friday to Unicoi County Emergency Medical Services, restoring vital emergency response capabilities lost during the September 2024 flood from Hurricane Helene.The equipment, valued at nearly $200,000 according to a press release from Ballad Health, was formally presented during a ceremony held at Ballad Health's Advanced Urgent Care Clinic in Erwin on Friday, June 6. Eric Deaton, the chief operating officer for Ballad Health, said that the four cardiac monitors were donated to replace the ones destroyed in the flood.The donation also follows National EMS Week and honors the work of first responders who continue to serve the community amid long-term recovery efforts, the release said."This donation for the cardiac monitors for the EMS is very vital in saving lives in Unicoi County," said Jimmy Erwin, interim EMS director for the county, during an interview after the presentation. "These monitors, we can actually transmit to the med center and to the hospital. We're going to make sure that the doctors can see if someone's having a heart attack or other issues, which ultimately saves lives. It's all about being prepared and having the best equipment available for the community. We lost all this equipment during the flood and have borrowed this equipment until Ballad was able to buy us brand new ones."The event brought together local officials, EMS professionals, healthcare workers and community leaders, including Unicoi County Mayor Garland "Bubba" Evely, Erwin Mayor Glenn White and State Rep. Renea Jones.Jennifer Harrah, hospital administrator for Unicoi County Hospital, spoke about the day Hurricane Helene's floodwaters inundated the facility. Specifically, her team's ability to save lives."What they did that day was so heroic, and it just leaves an impression on you to see people that will literally risk their lives to help others," Harrah said. "It has a huge impact, and I'm forever grateful."Eric Deaton shared his emotional connection to the community and recalled the harrowing events."I was talking to someone else about that day, and I remember like it was yesterday. It was a very difficult day for all of us, but especially this community," Deaton said. "I have roots in this community. My dad grew up here as well as my aunts and uncles. I love Erwin and Unicoi County."At one point we were facetiming with Jennifer and Shaun on the roof," he said. "They did a wonderful job working with our EMS and through FEMA. They helped people to the roof which was no easy task."Deaton detailed how patients were moved to safety without stair access, climbing ladders to reach the rooftop as paramedics assisted from boats until a helicopter arrived."It's incredible to think of the work they did that day," Deaton said. "Ballad Health is 100% committed to Erwin and Unicoi County. The plan is to rebuild. We're working hard to do that today and acquire property to rebuild a facility, similar to what it was when it was destroyed."That's going to take time, but we're committed and moving forward on that," he added. "I just want to thank the community for all the support you've given us."