In the serene embrace of the Adirondacks, it’s easy to feel a sense of insulation from the broader world’s challenges. However, our community, like any other, faces its own set of issues. One pressing concern for volunteer Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies nationwide, including here in New York, is declining membership. This troubling trend forces many communities to shut down their volunteer EMS services and seek alternatives.
Unfortunately, this issue has impacted our neighbors Arietta and Piseco. Over the past decade, the Piseco Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD), which oversees Piseco EMS, has seen a significant decline in volunteers to train, certify, or re-certify as EMTs. This shortage has left them unable to provide adequate emergency medical services (EMS) to the Piseco community.
Faced with this dilemma, the Board of Directors of the PVFD and Town of Arietta officials have requested that SVAC take over EMS responsibilities for Arietta and Piseco. Recognizing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted EMS coverage, SVAC has agreed to consider this request. Our membership has voted and approved expanding our services, pending an acceptable agreement between the two agencies.
The transition of EMS coverage from Piseco EMS to SVAC will require approvals from both organizations’ boards and the State of New York. We anticipate completing this process by the end of October. In the meantime, SVAC is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and providing essential emergency medical services to the Speculator, Lake Pleasant, Arietta, and Piseco communities.
In the spirit of openness and cooperation, below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions we have compiled to address any concerns during this transition. As more questions arise and answers become available, we will update this list to keep everyone informed.
SVAC wants to thank everyone in advance for their patience as we enter this new era of providing pre-hospital care to the communities of Southern Hamilton County. Together, we can ensure the continued health and safety of our beloved Adirondack communities. Thank you for your support.
FAQs
Q: Why does Piseco need SVAC to take over its EMS coverage?
A: Over the past decade, Piseco EMS had a significant decline in the number of volunteers to train, certify, or re-certify as EMTs. This shortage has left them unable to provide adequate emergency medical services (EMS) to the Piseco community. Due to the lack of available EMTs within PVFD, they had to rely heavily on mutual aid from SVAC.
Q: I am in Piseco/Arietta and need emergency medical care. What will happen?
A: If you are in Piseco/Arietta and need emergency medical care, call 911 or (518) 548-6603, the local number for the Hamilton County Dispatch office, as you normally would. 911 dispatch will then call out SVAC to respond. If SVAC is already on a call, it will work to assemble a second crew to respond with the second ambulance. If SVAC cannot assemble a second crew, Wells EMS will be called out for mutual aid.
Q: What will happen to the Piseco ambulance
A: The PVFD will own and be financially responsible for the Piseco ambulance (and future ambulances). They will” lease” the ambulance to SVAC for one dollar, which will staff and operate it for Piseco/Arietta’s EMS needs. However, since SVAC will be operating the Piseco ambulance, it must be re-lettered to say Speculator Ambulance. This is a NYS requirement.
Q: Where will the Piseco ambulance be stationed?
A: It will be stationed at the SVAC headquarters and used along with SVAC’s ambulance to respond to EMS calls in Speculator, Lake Pleasant, Arietta, and Piseco.
Q: Will this new structure increase response time to residents in Piseco/Arietta?
A: Despite the distance from Speculator, response times to EMS calls in Piseco are anticipated to decrease significantly under this agreement.
In addition, a group of PVFD members will become Certified First Responders (CFR) and be dispatched along with SVAC when a call comes in for the Piseco/Arietta area. They will provide immediate care and assessment until SVAC arrives. However, implementing this capability fully will take approximately 6-12 months.
Q: Will taking over Piseco’s EMS coverage area significantly increase the number of SVAC calls?
A: On average, Piseco EMS receives 30 calls yearly, and SVAC receives 170 calls yearly. So, yes, there will be a slight increase in SVAC’s calls.
Q: Will SVAC incur additional costs by taking over EMS coverage for Piseco?
A: SVAC will incur only one dollar, which is the cost of the “lease.” PVFD will provide all maintenance, repair, and general logistical support for the ambulance leased to SVAC.PVFD will also replace the leased ambulance when it reaches its operational end-of-life. PVFD will cover the cost of any medical supplies used to provide emergency medical services to the Piseco coverage area.
Q: Will SVAC start taking taxpayer money?
A: No, SVAC funding will still be solely based on donations. The PVFD will “lease” its ambulance to SVAC for one dollar and cover all the operating costs. SVAC will also receive medical supplies for Piseco/Arietta’s EMS needs.
Q: If I make financial donations to SVAC, will they be used for Piseco/Arietta’s EMS needs?
A: No, all donations to SVAC will be used for the EMS needs of Speculator and Lake Pleasant. The town of Arietta will be responsible for all the costs of operating that ambulance. If you want to help Piseco, you can donate to the PVFD.
Q: Will SVAC start charging for its services?
A: SVAC has never charged for its services and has no plans to start charging.
Q: Does Piseco EMS still exist?
A: No, for the foreseeable future, SVAC will be responsible for Arietta and Piseco’s EMS needs. In the future, if the PVFD can staff an EMT crew, they can resume service to the area.
Q: What will happen to the Piseco EMS building?
A: The building will remain the property of the PVFD and will be used at their discretion.
Q: Did SVAC know this would happen, and this is the reason you built a new garage?
A: No, building a new garage has been a long-term goal of SVAC and was in the works before SVAC and the PVFD started discussions about improving emergency medical services in our area.
Q: Will the new SVAC garage be able to house an additional ambulance?
A: Yes, the planned extra space is no longer extra.
Q: What is the duration of the EMS coverage agreement between PVFD and SVAC?
A: The agreement is for five years, with a commitment to replace the leased ambulance when it reaches its operational end-of-life if the agreement is renewed.