Tompkins County receives $300K for program to improve medical emergency response times
Senator Lea Webb announced recently the procurement of $300,000 in state funding through the Department of Health in the NYS Budget for 2024-2025, money now aimed at supporting the ongoing operating costs of the Tompkins County Rapid Medical Response Program.
The two-year pilot program is designed to enhance local EMS services with an additional layer of coverage across the county, with the goal of improving wait times during medical emergencies, which for some towns in Tompkins, has been historically slow.
The county average response time for emergency medical services reaching nearly 13 minutes last year, well above the national average of 4 minutes.
“Our new Rapid Medical Response project helps everyone,” Daniel Klein, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature said Tuesday. “It provides support for the amazing group of volunteer first responders, it provides back-up for the Towns of Groton, Dryden, and Ulysses who already invest heavily in their ambulance services, it frees-up our private ambulance service so they can better respond to more critical calls and to calls that they can bill for services provided, and it helps our residents who expect that someone will show up quickly when they call 911.”
Necessary service
The program, launched on April 2, and currently operates three rapid medical response vehicles throughout the county, stationed in locations determined by an analysis of current response times for emergency calls. To support the program, the county hired nine EMTs.
Webb praised Tompkins County for implementing this innovative solution to a problem plaguing many rural regions of the state. In these areas, EMS services are stretched thin, working to respond to increased call volume over great distances.
“As one of the largest towns in Tompkins County without a medical transport service, Lansing views the Tompkins County Rapid Medical Response program as a necessary service for its residents,” said Lansing town supervisor, Ruth Groff. “Lansing typically has the largest volume of calls for EMS services from towns without a transport service, and this program will bring a positive change to Lansing by improving availability of services.”
Webb stated the program is already delivering on its promise to decrease wait times during medical emergencies and ensuring that residents and visitors to Tompkins County get assistance when they need it.
She emphasized how EMS is an essential partner in community health systems and vowed to continue fighting for policies and resources to ensure EMS can effectively and safely serve the community.
"We can't thank Senator Webb enough for her efforts to secure this funding in the New York State budget," stated Michael Stitley, director of Tompkins County Emergency Response. "Since our EMS team was activated on April 2nd, we've already seen it pay dividends and meet many of the objectives laid out for the program. We truly believe Tompkins County's Rapid Medical Response program can serve as a model for other counties to emulate."
This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Webb secures funds for Tompkins County Rapid Medical Response Program
