Town Of Ramapo and Rockland County officials gathered on Wednesday afternoon to unveil plans for a major overhaul of the EMS dispatch system in Ramapo. The meeting, held with County Executive Ed Day, Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco, Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht, and representatives from local police departments as well as Spring Hill EMS, William P. Faist EMS, and Rockland Paramedics Services, marked a pivotal moment for public safety in the area.
Starting July 1, the EMS dispatch for Ramapo will undergo a transformative change, being handled directly by Rockland County’s 44 Control, the communications division responsible for coordinating EMS responses. This initiative promises to streamline emergency calls, particularly those made from cell phones, ensuring a quicker and more efficient dispatch of emergency medical services.
Under the current system, emergency calls made from cell phones are routed through a multi-step process, involving county dispatch and local police, before reaching EMS providers. This convoluted path often results in delays in emergency response. The new system, however, will see the Rockland County Sheriff’s division take immediate charge of EMS dispatches, significantly cutting down response times and enhancing the overall care provided to residents and visitors of Ramapo.
Program Coordinator for Ramapo Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), Josh Hans, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming improvements, stating, “We’re very excited about this important update to our public safety infrastructure. We appreciate the cooperation from the county and the EMS agencies for their support in advancing this vital program.”
Furthermore, the revamped EMS system will adopt emergency medical dispatch protocols, ensuring that paramedics are dispatched more effectively based on the urgency of the call. This protocol is designed to optimize resource allocation, ensuring that life-threatening emergencies are prioritized, while still providing rapid response to less critical calls.
Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht also weighed in on the changes, highlighting the collaborative effort behind this initiative. “This enhancement of our EMS dispatch system is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our residents and believe these changes will make a significant difference in our ability to respond to emergencies more effectively.”
Sheriff Louis Falco said, “This is a huge step forward – it’s the first major improvement of EMS dispatch and communications in Rockland County in more than twenty years. We’re so grateful to Supervisor Specht, County Executive Day, and our EMS responders for helping make this possible.” He noted that County residents can expect faster call processing times, faster ambulance dispatch, and a higher level of service in the form of emergency medical dispatch (EMD).