Response to the Jan. 10 letter by Linda Fox ("Wreck probes take too long"):

I initially blew off Linda Fox's letter due to her being insensitive. Then I concluded that she doesn't have a clue. As a volunteer EMT, I have seen many fatal accidents.

A fatal accident scene is not pleasant. It requires coordination between medical personnel and the troopers to identify those with fatal and serious injuries. CPR, extrication and patient stabilization each takes time, sometimes an hour or more. Depending on the accident location, additional ambulance or medevac helicopter support can take over an hour to arrive.

Troopers try to conduct as much of their investigation as possible while the medical and extrication team works with the patients. But the troopers often have to delay their investigation until all the patients are en route to medical facilities.

Instead of complaining about the time it takes to deal with an accident scene, I would suggest that Ms. Fox become an EMT, work a fatal accident and then perhaps she will understand.

-- Phil Weber,

volunteer EMT II

Cooper Landing