WEIS Radio News has learned that the Cherokee County Probate Judge & Commission Chairman Tim Burgess – on Thursday – issued a “Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency” for Cherokee County.

Local EMS services and the entire local healthcare system are currently experiencing difficulties, when it comes to emergency call volumes dealing with – “COVID positive” patients OR those suspected of being “COVID positive”.

It has reportedly gotten to the point that – as a result of the present situation – at any point in time an ambulance may or may not be available to immediately respond to a call.  This is a problem occurring statewide. 

The number of COVID-related calls across Alabama – with many people experiencing a more serious set of symptoms than before – has led to ambulances arriving at ER’s and being forced to wait in line until they can be accommodated.  This in turn, results in longer wait times when someone needs an ambulance dispatched to their next call.  Hospitals are overwhelmed, as they are dealing with other medical emergency issues at the same time, including auto accidents, heart attacks, strokes and calls relating to violent crimes.

That Cherokee County proclamation declares that law enforcement officials – rescue, fire, EMS, healthcare and safety telecommunication personnel – all be designated as “Emergency Management Workers”.

The Cherokee County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency Director Shawn Rogers says “By doing this, we have provided our public safety professionals a safety net so they can continue to provide high quality care – and hopefully – alleviate some of the stress involved.”

Alabama Governor Ivey had issued a statewide “limited” State of Emergency on August 13th (2021).  The Local Proclamation for Cherokee County has been issued in conjunction with the Governor’s State of Emergency.