Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Emergency Medical Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orange County launches 'fly car' EMT program and swears in new EMS director
Summary
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced a 'fly car' program to place EMT‑trained deputies in fast‑response vehicles for areas with EMS response times over 10 minutes and sworn in Dr. Francis P. Winski Jr. as the county EMS director.
Orange County officials on June 5 announced the launch of a sheriff’s office “fly car” program that will assign EMT‑trained deputies to rapid‑response vehicles to reach areas where ambulance response exceeds 10 minutes.
Under Sheriff Will Garcia, reading for Sheriff Arteta, said the program has taken about two and a half years to develop and includes new policies, equipment and training. Garcia said the program is designed to serve areas where response times exceed 10 minutes and emphasized that early medical intervention can be lifesaving; he cited county materials saying rapid treatment “within the hour” can reduce mortality for severely injured patients by up to 25 percent.
Three deputies who completed EMT training — Deputy Pat Labasi, Jake Feldman and Tim McLaughlin — were introduced to the Legislature as members who will be assigned to the fly car program under the operational direction of Sergeant Paul Brom and Deputy Timothy Lushin. The program will operate under the medical oversight of Dr. Francis P. Winski Jr., who was sworn in during the meeting as Orange County EMS director by County Clerk Kelly Eskew.
Garcia described the initiative as a priority of Sheriff Arteta and said the county recruited a medical director to provide clinical oversight; he introduced Dr. Winski and summarized his prior roles, including service as chief medical officer with the New York State Police and other hospital leadership positions. Dr. Winski took the oath of office and pledged to “faithfully discharge the duties of EMS director,” after which county officials and legislators welcomed the program launch.
County officials said the program aims to reduce delays in initial medical care in time‑sensitive incidents; the deputies assigned to the fly car will respond under the supervision of the sheriff’s office and the county’s EMS medical director. No ordinance or additional county appropriation was announced at the meeting; officials said the program followed a multi‑year planning and training effort.
