COVID 19 Frontline Feature - Austin Bayles, Manager of EMS

Austin Bayles is the manager of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at EAMC and has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. He has been serving the public with EAMC for 16 years and even in his vast experience of disasters and emergencies, COVID-19 is something very different.

Despite being in the midst of a pandemic, normal EMS operations must continue. In addition to staffing the Emergency Department’s screening hut and assisting with COVID-19, there are still 9-1-1 calls. Plus, he and his EMS team were heavily involved in the search for 4-year-old Vadie Sides in Loachapoka one week into the COVID crisis in Lee County. “We are working long hours, but we are working together to make certain that everyone is staying safe and accountable,” Bayles says.

“Many of our employees have spouses who also work in healthcare, which makes caring for our own families a challenge and often means that we’re separated from our families for a long time,” states Bayles, whose wife, Heather, works at EAMC also. “Employees go above and beyond for patient care every day. However, the employees’ willingness to change their schedules and alter their jobs to do what is best for our patients, even in a situation as difficult as this, is wonderful to see.”

Bayles explains that EAMC is now screening all employees prior to beginning their shifts and during shifts as needed. EMS has also expanded its services to manage the Emergency Department screening hut, which screens all patients and guests who come to the Emergency Department. This is to make sure they have a mask and other needed precautions before entering for care.

Bayles credits the outpouring of support from the community as his source of encouragement during these difficult times. “We are extremely fortunate to have EAMC and Lee County standing behind us and supporting us,” he says. “I’d like to thank the hospital and community for their overwhelming love and support during this time.”

According to Bayles, there are several things that makes EAMC stand out during times of crisis, and he credits this to the environment being a family atmosphere more than just a workplace. “This is a home-front battle,” he explains. “The leadership team at EAMC is always concerned about all of the employees’ safety and well-being.”