Monticello, NY – Sullivan County has been awarded $500,000 – the maximum possible under the County Emergency Medical Services Support Grant Program – that promises to significantly enhance the local emergency response system.
“In our application to the NYS Department of Health, we identified gaps in our EMS system which impact EMS provider capabilities, patient outcomes, and response time,” stated Public Safety Commissioner Scott Schulte. “I’m thrilled to say that the State agreed to fund – via a half-million-dollar grant – extensive recruitment and retention initiatives, equipping local EMS agencies with needed diagnostic tools, increasing affordable training opportunities, and contracting with an EMS provider to address peak-season capacity issues.”
“Consistent with the increase in visitors, the 911 Center sees a tripling of calls during the summer, which pushes our emergency response system to its limits,” explained Deputy Commissioner of 911 and EMS Alex Rau, who prepared the grant application. “Both our volunteer and career EMS providers need more personnel, but interested applicants have to invest a significant amount of money to become certified EMTs, which hinders recruitment efforts.”
Thus, free EMT training (including for advanced EMT certification) and supplies comprise the first of a four-pronged initiative that will utilize this grant.
“We’ll couple that with an EMS recruitment/retention campaign similar to the Join Sullivan Fire effort that has been such a success with our local fire departments,” Rau added. “The third and fourth initiatives made possible through this funding will include moving toward standardizing the level of care throughout all our EMS agencies at the highest-possible level of Basic Life Support, and bringing on more resources during the busy summer season.”
That includes equipping local agencies with necessary equipment to enhance detection of heart attacks, and infusing additional EMS units in June, July and August to shorten response times, increase unit availability, and improve patient outcomes.
“This was one of the most detailed grants I’ve ever written, so I’m very happy the NYS Department of Health saw the value in our proposals and that the County achieved this award,” Rau noted. “I’m also grateful to our Grants Administration team for their critical collaboration.”
“The Department of Grants Administration staff is pleased with the outcome of the time and effort spent in developing and submitting the funding application with Alex, who possesses a wealth of knowledge on EMS services, interoperable communications and public safety in general,” said Grants Supervisor Art Hussey and Grant Program Coordinator Jennifer Perito. “We are fortunate to work with various County staff in seeking to recoup local taxpayer dollars for priority needs identified for services and products within the County.”
“Winning this huge grant is testament to Sullivan County’s commitment to supporting and improving emergency services in ways that really matter,” stated District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez, chair of the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee. “In addition to our already successful introduction of four fly cars to more quickly reach medical calls, these new initiatives promise to make a lifesaving difference throughout the County.”
