POUGHKEEPSIE – A just-released Dutchess County task force report outlines a “patchwork system” of emergency medical services throughout the county, with local municipalities and fire districts choosing to use differing approaches and that can cause fragmented, inconsistent, and non-standardized service delivery.
The data reveal a wide range of cost structures, coverage ability and response times.
County Emergency Response Commissioner Dana Smith said everyone wants to develop solutions to the fragmented processes.
“With this report, County Executive [Marcus] Molinaro tasked us with identifying county coordinated solutions that were patient-centered; that were consistent, reliable, affordable and sustainable, and I think everyone in the community, both the providers and the members of our task force want to develop a solution that fits all of those dictates,” Smith said.
The 28-member task force looked at EMS history and current challenges at the national, state and local level. There are no federal or state mandates to provide EMS service and there are no dedicated federal and state funding streams, as generally found with other emergency services including law enforcement, fire service and emergency management.
