Brooke County Ambulance recognized for efforts during the coronavirus pandemic

WELLSBURG -- Since the pandemic reached northern West Virginia earlier this year, the Brooke County Ambulance Service has been among many first responders and healthcare workers putting in additional hours and extra effort to treat those diagnosed with COVID-19 and take measures to prevent its spread.

And a few have gone one step further, delivering care packages to residents who have been quarantined on their own time and with help from the community.

The special deliveries have helped to cheer many, so it seems fitting that the entire ambulance service should be acknowledged with an ornament on the Christmas tree at the West Virginia Culture Center, a symbol of holiday cheer for many.

Brooke County Clerk Kim Barbetta said when she learned Cathy Justice, wife of Gov. Jim Justice; and the state Department of Arts, Culture and History were seeking ornaments honoring healthcare workers for this year's tree, she thought of the ambulance service.

"They had a lot on their plate before COVID hit," she said, adding that since the pandemic arrived, "They're really putting themselves in a lot of danger and never complain."

Barbetta said with the Brooke County Commission's support, she enlisted local artist Michelle Basil to produce the ornament.

It wasn't the first ornament produced for the tree by Basil, who hand-paints glassware for Mosser Glass in Beech Bottom as well as working freelance.

She also painted an outline of the state, with a star marking the city's location, for an ornament submitted by the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club for a tree celebrating West Virginia's 150th anniversary in 2013.

The self-taught artist also painted a series of ornaments depicting several historic Wellsburg structures for yearly fundraisers held for a time by the Kiwanis Club as well as a bulb memorializing the legendary leap of Major Samuel McCulloch for the Wheeling Kiwanis Club.

Christmas bulbs aren't her only medium as she also has painted images on lamps, saw blades, slate and ties, with the clock tower of Bethany College among settings captured on the latter.

Barbetta said her favorite aspect of Basil's bulb are the angel wings that hover above the ambulance.

"She came up with that herself and we thought it was great," she said.

Andy Nickerson, the county's ambulance director, said the gesture was greatly appreciated by him and his staff.

He confirmed they are assisting a greater number of patients while taking measures to prevent themselves from contracting the coronavirus and spreading it to others.

But Nickerson stressed their work is "part of a team effort involving all the first responders and doctors and nurses, too."

While meeting an increased need for emergency medical services, a few staff members also have reached out to people affected by the pandemic in another way.

Theresa Forrester, an emergency medical technician with the ambulance service for 16 years, said a few months ago, an older woman who had been ordered to quarantine called to ask for assistance with some basic supplies.

After they aided the woman, it occurred to Forrester and a co-worker that there may be others without local family members or others to assist them or that they may be concerned about exposing them to the virus.

From that thought was born the Brooke County C.A.R.E.S. Program, a grassroot effort through which Forrester delivers care packages containing soup, crackers, cough drops and "a lot of the comfort items you want when you're sick."

Forrester and others also do what they can to meet other simple needs.

"One lady said, 'I just need a loaf of bread,'" she recalled.

Forrester said since launching the effort in September, she's received donations of nonperishable food and other items from the Salvation Army and several churches, including Follansbee Church of Christ, which provided 25 filled baskets.

Forrester said she will set the care package on a recipient's doorstep, knock on the door and step back to maintain safe distancing.

She added often the recipient will step out to chat, having missed face to face contact with others while being quarantined for up to 14 days.

Nickerson said Forrester and others "offer them a smiling face and make sure they're OK."

"(For) some people, that's all they want," said Forrester, who added the visits are made outside regular working hours.

"This is all in my free time," she said, adding she also has used monetary donations to shop for items herself.

Forrester said recipients' identities are kept confidential.

"I'm the only one who has the person's name, phone number and address. It doesn't go any farther," she said.

Forrester said Brooke County residents who have been quarantined and would like to receive a care package may call (304) 904-0776 for information. Those interested in donating money or items for them also may call that number.

She said needed items include bottles of Gatorade, non-perishable canned or instant soup, sanitizer and puzzle books.

With news of the effort circulated initially through word of mouth and social media, Forrester said she's pleased to be reach more Brooke County residents.

"I'm really happy people are starting to hear about it," she said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)