Smith Medical Transportation Systems Inc. is the corporate sponsor for the American Red Cross Muskingum Lakes Chapter’s Automated External Defibrillator program, which has so far distributed 200 AEDs. The goal is to provide a defibrillator to every location that has a fire extinguisher in the county.
“Of all the things we do, this is the most important one because it can immediately save someone’s life,” said Robert Smith, CEO of Smith Medical Transportation Systems.
Eight years ago, Smith was also instrumental in negotiating MedFlight operations to Tuscarawas County, which faced an uphill battle trying to locate the service to a rural community. The service remains in a partnership with MedFlight to provide rapid response to critically ill or injured patients.
Among the many organizations that have benefited from Smith Medical Transportation Systems’ service, in addition to the Medflight and the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross mentioned above, are New Philadelphia’s First Town Days community festival; Dover’s Canal Days community festival; Baltic’s Homecoming community festival; Personal and Family Counseling; Tuscarawas County 4-H Youth; and dozens of community benefit golf outings for various fundraising groups.
Smith Medical Transportation Systems’ corporate financial contributions include $25,000 to Garaway Belden Community Center, a multipurpose community center used by the Garaway School District and Sugarcreek seniors and rented privately for community functions; $25,000 to the Twin City Hospital Emergency Room renovation in Dennison; $25,000 to the Pomerene Hospital Emergency Room renovation in Millersburg; and financial contributions to various projects for Union Hospital in Dover.
Smith’s antique ambulance is often driven in local festivals and parades, and the LifeFlight helicopter is often displayed with its crew at community events. “It helps to be able to present our team members to the community during a time when they are not in crisis,” Smith says.
How to reach: Smith Medical Transportation Systems Inc., (330) 602-5180 or www.smithambulance.com
