Greene County EMS presents equipment upgrades, response-time data and staffing needs ahead of 2026 contract renewal

Mark Evans, representing the county’s primary paramedic provider, told the Greene County Health Services Committee on Aug. 6 that the service is prepared to continue under a county-run system and outlined equipment upgrades, response-time data and a significant budget request ahead of a 2026 contract renewal.

Evans said the provider’s current overall paramedic response time is about 8 minutes, 21 seconds, with a Valley average of 8:24 and a somewhat faster Mountain Top time. "This machine is just an absolute complete game changer," he said of newly deployed Hamilton T1 ventilators that, he told the committee, enable more patients to be delivered to hospitals sitting upright and not intubated.

The change in equipment and protocols, Evans said, has reduced the length and intensity of hospital stays for some patients. He reported the provider used ventilators 37 times last year and 47 times already in the current year. Evans attributed improved outcomes in part to on-scene care continuity with hospital and air-ambulance teams and to…