By Charles Owns
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
TAZEWELL, Va. — Emergency responders across Tazewell County will soon have access to new lifesaving equipment.
Tazewell County officials announced Wednesday that the county’s ambulance fleet will be equipped with new Lifepak 35 monitors that will provide accurate vital-sign monitoring and improved communication during emergency calls.
| WATCH NEXT: Cold weather MVC response tips
The new equipment will be purchased with a $35,000 grant from the Appalachian Power Foundation.
“This investment strengthens our emergency response system in a meaningful way,” Tazewell County Administrator Eric Young said. “Lifesaving care begins with the right tools in the hands of trained professionals, and this grant ensures our EMS teams have the equipment they need to respond with confidence and precision.”
Charles “Chuck” Presley, the board’s Eastern District supervisor and a member of the county’s emergency services committee, said the upgrade will ensure that EMS crews are properly equipped to respond to all emergency calls.
In addition to the county, Presley said EMS crews serving the towns of Bluefield, Va., Tazewell, Richlands, Pocahontas and Cedar Bluff, also will benefit from the new equipment.
“I think everyone is pleased that we are able to do this,” Presley said during a stop at the Daily Telegraph Wednesday. “This just provides better service for every EMS (crew) in Tazewell County.”
Presley said the funding award will ensure that every ambulance carries the same advanced monitors. That means every resident will receive high-quality care regardless of whether an emergency happens on the road, at a ball field, or in the most rural part of the county.
“We appreciate the Appalachian Power Foundation for its ongoing support of our community,” Presley said.
Appalachian Power realized the need for local EMS crews to be equipped with modern technology during last year’s impact from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, according to Appalachian Power’s External Affairs Manager Jake Holmes.
“We are proud to partner with Tazewell County in providing this resource to the citizens of the county,” Holmes said in a prepared statement. “After the impact we saw across the region from Hurricane Helene, our foundation wanted to ensure that our first responders had the equipment necessary to serve their communities. We appreciate Tazewell County for allowing us to play a small part in helping prepare for emergency situations.”
Young said the new devices will assist paramedics and EMTs with CPR support while the patient is in transit.
“It also records patients’ vital statistics while en route,” Young said in response to Daily Telegraph questions. “Our Fire and EMS Director had requested three in the FY26 budget but we could only afford two. This donation means each ambulance in our primary fleet now will have a life pack monitor. We are excited about this improvement to the services we provide our citizens and appreciate the support.”
The new monitors will allow Tazewell County Emergency Medical Services to standardize equipment across all ambulances, including secondary units that provide standby support at community sporting events and respond to 911 calls when demand is high. With the upgrade, every patient in every setting will have access to the same level of advanced care, according to Young.
Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.
© 2025 the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (Bluefield, W.Va.).
Visit bdtonline.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
