Addressing EMS Challenges in Essex County NY

Seven years ago, CGR helped Essex County develop a strategic plan for their EMS system. Since then, Essex County EMS has made significant strides, including creating a fly-car and staff leasing model, a new dispatch program, paramedic and EMT education programs, a county-wide ambulance authority, and increased funding. Most ambulance services in the county now have paid staff, addressing prompt response concerns. EMS funding totals $6.8 million annually, drawn from towns, villages, fire districts, and the county.

Despite progress, challenges remain. Recruiting and retaining paid staff and volunteers is difficult. The impending sunset of the AEMT-Critical Care certification, administrative burdens on volunteers, and the need for sustainable funding beyond the current grant pose threats. The system also needs to optimize employee utilization between calls.

To address these issues, the CGR recommended several actions. These include expanding staff schedules, ensuring ALS availability for high-priority calls, developing retention strategies, lobbying for a county-level EMS district, creating a dedicated EMS coordinator position, exploring alternative funding sources, expanding Advanced EMT care, supporting AEMT-CC to paramedic transition, youth recruitment, a medic exchange program, a performance dashboard, distance learning for all EMS levels, and identifying downtime contributions. These combined efforts aim to ensure a sustainable and high-quality EMS system for Essex County.

To learn more, contact Paul Bishop.

February 11, 2025 CGR Briefs Edition