Croton Offers Solution to EMS Challenges

Croton-on-Hudson’s Village Emergency Management Director Dick Nagle presented his report on the state of the Emergency Medical Services last night before the Village’s Board of Trustees during their regular meeting.

The report presented by Nagle gave an overview of the EMS, problems faced and possible solutions.

“I can tell you the EMS is a system in great need of help,” said Nagle.

In the report Nagle outlined two major problems with the EMS system; poor response times to calls and low membership levels within the EMS.

“It is very hard for people to Volunteer for EMS,” Nagle continued. “The course is difficult and if a call comes in at 2 a.m. someone has to get up and go.  They [the volunteer EMS workers] are doing a lot of work. Burn out is a problem. Several people who have left indicated the time commitment was too much.”

The big issue brought up in last night’s meeting was the poor response time that resulted in the 54% of 700-800 calls received by Croton yearly being responded to via Mutual aid. Mutual aid is when an ambulance from a surrounding town or village, like Ossining, responds to the call. When Mutual aid is called in, the town of the responding ambulance may get a reimbursement from a health insurance company, which could result in a loss of revenue for the Village of Croton.

“Since we are not responding to call our calls,” said Trustee Schmidt. “Ossining bills out to the insurance company and we are losing revenue.”

Lack of EMTs and drivers are the reason behind the missed calls as an ambulance can not be sent out without a driver and an EMT.  During the day, when the most calls are received, there just aren’t enough volunteer’s responding to the calls.   

“We need EMTs,” said veteran Croton EMT Charlie O’Connor. “It’s tough in Croton...and most people who can respond are retired or work local and can't get out of work.”

When a call is received the EMTs get three tones that go off at pre-set intervals to respond. If they do not respond in within that time, their unit is considered out of service and the call goes to mutual aid. Three tones is 9 minutes after the initial call, which could have a huge impact in some emergencies.

“This is a most serious issue that puts the lives of Croton residents at risk,” said John Flynn an Ossining resident with family in Croton and a parishioner at Holy Name of Mary Church in Croton. He is also a firefighter and EMT for over 20 years who is working with Nagle on the EMS problem. “The one thing that is helping you out is the Tri-Community fly car. You have to get the response times down.”

Since Croton does not have a paramedic, one will arrive on the scene in the Tri-Community fly car. A paramedic offers a higher level of care and is only needed in severe cases.

The solution offered by Nagle is currently before the Village Attorney. His solution is a Request for Proposal or RFP for hiring paid EMTs to cover the hours when no volunteers are available. In addition, EMS is looking at ways to improve the recruitment and retention of Volunteer EMTs. T

“I do not think having paid staff supervised by the current Croton leadership would be a solution,” Flynn said. “Your hearts are in the right places but there needs to be more of an understanding of what you are getting into.”