MONTICELLO — In its June report, the Sullivan County Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) revealed that the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) failed to promptly release the grant contract for $245,000 to pay for the additional Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance for three summer months. The release of the contract did not happen until early July, despite the Bureau being assured they would have the contract in place by June 1. 

This means that Sullivan County has had one less ambulance available for dispatch during the busiest season for EMS crews, as tourists and summer residents flock to the area and exert great stress on the EMS network tasked to keep our residents safe. 

Speaking to the Public Safety and Law Enforcement Committee on July 10, Public Safety Commissioner Scott Schulte said they’ve been notified that the contract has been released, but they are still in the process of waiting for funds to be transferred. “Once that money is in fact in our hands, we will get the additional ALS ambulance out in the field for the summer,” said Schulte.

Schulte said Seniorcare EMS, at their own expense, is now the first ALS provider in our area to carry IV Tylenol, a liquid form of acetaminophen transmitted intravenously for pain management; this is a safer alternative to addictive opioids and narcotics like fentanyl, morphine, and hydromorphone. Seniorcare EMS are also the first in the area to carry Tranexamic Acid (TXA), which helps control severe bleeding by promoting blood clotting in trauma cases. Schulte said, “That’s a phenomenal solution for our folks here, but also paves the way for other agencies to start doing this; it’s really putting us at the forefront of EMS.”

Schulte said Seniorcare EMS is also exploring the possibility of making Sullivan County EMS the first ground provider to offer blood products in the field. This is a lifesaving modality that the DOH approved in January, but they have not yet released the protocols for this service.