The Lee County Rescue Squard has released a statement after questions have been raised as to why they cannot transport patients to preferred hospitals. The statements clarified that in keeping in compliance with National EMS standards and as a result of the unfortunate situation of not having a hospital in our county, they must transport to the closest appropriate facility. This enables EMS units to return back to service areas in a quicker amount of time. Seconds count when lives are at stake making travel time an important factor in hospital choice.