The Saratogian
WILTON, N.Y. — Emergency medical services in Saratoga County is expected to undergo major change in future years as the population grows, technology improves and costs increase.
A decade from now, one of the major differences might be fewer localized providers as agencies merge to cover multiple townships. In addition, there’s a definite shift toward more paid personnel instead of volunteers as training becomes more time-consuming and sophisticated."We all faces the same challenges,” said Nash Alexander, Wilton EMS chief operating officer. “It’s just a matter of how we go about it. Different places need different things. With bigger, stronger agencies, you’ll be able to do more for your community with additional resources. It’s going to give us a collective vision.”
However, the biggest hurdle is getting leaders of individual EMS agencies to collaborate with other nearby providers. It’s the same issue that comes up when towns and villages or local school districts consider consolidating. One of the main benefits of a larger agency would be greater purchasing power for the vehicles and sophisticated medical equipment today’s providers use. One fully-stocked large size ambulance costs more than $200,000.
- Full Story: EMS: Change on the horizon for agencies