Marilu Trainor
We love it when a plan comes together and helps many people, just from a single thought.
It all started in late April when Goodyear Paramedic Captain Mario Santos responded to a 9-1-1 call after a PebbleCreek resident fell. In early May, Santos and his crew responded to a similar request for help after a resident in Estrella Mountain, another Goodyear subdivision, also fell while trying to maneuver her wheelchair.
Santos and his crew rendered aid both times and informed the residents about the Community Paramedicine Consortium West Program and services available to help citizens with their medical needs.
“It was obvious to me these clients needed a safer way to enter and exit their homes because they were in wheelchairs,” said Santos. “We don’t call them patients in our paramedicine program, they are our clients.”
That’s when Santos got the ball rolling to donate wheelchair ramps, and the community plan started coming together.
Santos went to the PebbleCreek Creative Arts Center and left a note for the Woodcarving Club describing the need to build some ramps.
“Our club has a history of receiving requests for help and seeing if any members can satisfy the need,” said Larry Matney. Matney and David Linth quickly volunteered to make the ramps. The duo put their various construction skills together, and the project was underway.
They identified the ramp requirements and design, did the construction, and installed the ramps. Santos paid for the application fee out of his own pocket to modify the PebbleCreek residents’ homes, and the work was completed by Matney and Linth by mid-May.
Linth said, “What is truly inspiring is to see the initiative and cooperation we experienced from the Goodyear Fire Department. During their assistance calls, they recognize difficulties and limitations exist for many people. We are happy the Woodcarver’s Club was able to pull together some talent to make these ramps. This was truly a neighborhood cooperative effort. I’m proud to work with all these fine people.”
“It was great to see the appreciation from the folks that needed the ramps,” said Matney.
“We want to link the resources to the people,” said Santos. “Goodyear residents have pride in helping others.”
Each of these gentlemen is quick to call each other heroes and a great team. Yes, they are!
About the CPCWP
The Community Paramedicine Consortium West Program is a partnership between the fire departments in Surprise and Goodyear. It started in 2019 when the fire departments noticed that some residents were frequently and repeatedly calling 9-1-1 for non-emergency healthcare and social service issues.
The program allows the firefighters to visit residents before they need critical, in-home assistance. The paramedics visit you to provide care and identify local resources so you can better manage your health. During the visit, the paramedics will check the resident’s medical, nutritional, and psychological needs. They also inform each client of medical benefits they may be unaware they are entitled to and set up available long-term programs and resources. More than 300 residents have received help to date.
To request service, call or email Goodyear Fire Administration, 14455 W. Van Buren St. Goodyear, AZ 85338 at 623-882-7120 or [email protected].