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Lewis County EMS leaders warn of workforce collapse; propose countywide four-crew model and ask for study
Summary
Lewis County Search and Rescue presented data on falling EMS certification rates and volunteerism, proposed a countywide four-crew EMS system costing about $5.4 million annually, and legislators moved to issue an RFP for a countywide study.
Lewis County emergency medical services leaders told county legislators the local EMS system is strained by falling volunteerism, low reimbursement rates and retention problems — and presented a proposed countywide model that would require significant new local funding.
Josh Bevec, chief of operations for Lewis County Search and Rescue, told the General Services committee that New York State saw a 17.5% decline in active certified providers over recent years and that many volunteer and hybrid agencies report delayed or missed responses because of shortages. "If search and rescue hit tomorrow were to close its doors, who's gonna pick up the pieces? It's going to be horrible," Bevec said…
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