Wayne County will use federal funds to bolster emergency medical services

Wayne County is strategically leveraging funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fortify its newly inaugurated emergency medical services (EMS) agency, which commenced operations in July.

According to the Finger Lakes Times, the county, a beneficiary of $17.5 million from the 2021 ARPA legislation, designated approximately $2.5 million to facilitate the initiation of the project.

This substantial federal grant is a crucial financial pillar for the EMS program, whose establishment has necessitated roughly $8 million, with more expenditures anticipated.

In a meeting on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously consented to allocate $616,000 of the interest income, accrued from the county’s ARPA funds, to EMS-related costs.

Further emphasizing its commitment, the county also sanctioned bids for a $7.5 million project, aimed at constructing the county’s EMS headquarters, slated to commence in October.

Staff Report

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