SULLIVAN COUNTY, 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,” said 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.