Following approval by supervisors last year, Wayne County is set to launch a countywide ambulance service by July 1, addressing the concerning shortcomings of emergency medical services in the county, such as the unimproved average response times since 1999.
After a two-phase implementation approved in August last year, the county officials have confirmed they’re on track for the service launch, despite many tasks still to be accomplished. At a recent meeting, the board adopted resolutions amending the county budget to account for operational and personnel costs as the service transitions into operational status.
However, recruitment continues to be a challenge with a lack of workforce, said county EMS Director Jim Lee, hoping that competitive wages and benefits would attract candidates. The service will temporarily operate from Lyons Town Ambulance base, whose operations will cease by June 30. The county will also be constructing a 10,600-square-foot EMS headquarters at the county complex off Route 31 and another location in Sodus. The overall project startup costs could amount to $15 million, including the construction of ambulance bases, ambulances, and related equipment, with annual personnel costs at around $500,000 for each fully staffed ambulance.
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