On the Road with Polly: How Madison County EMS is Making a Huge Impact
In this edition of On the Road with Polly brought to you by Buy Madison County, I'm taking a trip to Madison County EMS to get a firsthand look at how they're making a huge impact in our community.
Jenna Illingworth, also known as "Tadpole," is the dedicated EMS coordinator for Madison County. But she didn't start this journey on her own. Her father, who they call Frog, has been a first responder since the 70s — talk about a family legacy, right?
During my visit, Jenna took me on a tour and even let me take the wheel of one of their ambulances around the parking lot. It was eye-opening to learn that a fully stocked ambulance costs a whopping $300,000 (it's a good thing I didn't know that while driving).
Just a few months ago, Madison County EMS put three brand new ambulances into service, and since April 1st, they have responded to over 160 calls. They've also added a Fly Car to their fleet, allowing an EMT and a paramedic to quickly reach emergency situations when an ambulance is too far away. Because, let's face it, every second truly matters in these critical moments.
But here's something that struck me: calling 911 for a life-threatening emergency doesn't always guarantee the help you need. Shockingly, in New York State, EMS is considered a luxury rather than an essential service, but Madison County doesn't agree. They believe that EMS should be deemed an essential service, and more support should be provided by the state.
Here's a startling fact: before COVID, there were 75,000 EMS providers in New York State. But the mental, physical, and emotional toll of the pandemic left only 35,000 standing. Out of those, only 10,000 are paramedics, leaving us short by about 25,000.
So, what can be done to make a change? EMS being recognized as an essential service and ensuring it's included in the budget is a good place to start. Furthermore, increased funding is crucial for training more EMTs and paramedics. Additionally, Direct Pay legislation has to be passed, as last year alone, 4.1 million insurance checks were cashed by patients without EMS ever being reimbursed, and that was just from one insurance company.
Thankfully, Madison County lawmakers are stepping up to help. The 2024 budget includes a resolution to distribute 1.2 million across all nine Madison County EMS agencies without any tax increase. That's a win-win situation for everyone.
But we can all play a role in supporting our local EMS. You can volunteer, take classes, or even get CPR certified. Let's not tie up EMS with non-emergencies. They're not a taxi service, and taking an ambulance ride won't get you seen any faster at the hospital. Instead, it will take the ambulance out of service for those who truly need it.
Resources to help you learn more about CPR and AEDs:
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