By BILL KENT

bill.kent@gaflnews.com

with STAFF REPORTS

ATLANTA — David Edwards, Crisp County EMS director will participate in an event in Atlanta next Monday to urge more consistent funding for better access to trauma care throughout Georgia.

“I want to do everything I can to help more people receive the urgent care they need,” he said.

It’s good for citizens to attend the event, but it’s better to contact Representative Buddy Harden and Senator Dicky Crosby in Atlanta and express to them how important it is for them to support legislation, Edwards indicated.

“It is tough economic times, but we are talking about saving lives where time is of the essence. Presently, the injured in South Georgia have too far to go to a trauma center,” Edwards said.

He shared information with county commissioners this week about the desperate need for a more extensive trauma network throughout Georgia.

“Trauma Day at the Capitol” is planned for Monday from 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Organizers hope to push the need for adequate funding to a reality.

Several hundred Georgians whose lives have been impacted by trauma care or a lack of it will join the rally Monday as they urge lawmakers to pass legislation that would adequately fund a statewide trauma system.

Trauma survivors, families of trauma victims, doctors, EMS providers, hospital representatives and others will be on hand to lend their support.

The location for the event is the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot and the Capitol in Atlanta.

Scheduled speakers include Chad Black – Battalion Chief, Hall County Fire Services/ Business Development Manager, LifeNet Air Medical; Tom Bell – chairman and CEO, Cousins Properties and Board Member, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Also to speak are Pam Russell, the daughter-in-law of late Georgia Southern coach Erk Russell and mother of a trauma survivor, Charlee Russell; George Israel – president and CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce; M. Todd Williamson, M.D. – president, Medical Association of Georgia; Sen. Cecil Staton – Georgia Senate, District 18, and Rep. Austin Scott ,Georgia House of Representatives, District 153.