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Oliverio and PVAC Call for Write In Campaign to Keep Paramedic Advance life Support in Putnam Valley
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | PV Ambulance's Sheryl Keating, PV Ambulance's Mike McCue, PV Fire Chief Bruce Johnson, and Legislator Sam Oliverio speak out on Emergency Services in PV. |
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Putnam Valley's legislative representative Sam Oliverio explained in his legislative report at the Town Board's August 15, 2007 monthly meeting that the County Legislature held a caucus meeting without him, the sole Democrat, and returned with a vote to discontinue funding the County's Empire Paramedic Advance Life Support service as of October 1, 2007. The rationale behind their decision, says Oliverio, was financial.
As reported earlier in the PCN&R, Empire claims they can no longer provide the service for the money they are receiving. The service costs the County $900,000 for the year 2007 or a little less than one percent of the $136 million County Budget. Only Sam Oliverio with the support of County Executive Bob Bondi, voted in favor of continuing the service until the contract expires at the end of 2007. At that time the County would negotiate a new contract. Legislator Oliverio went on to say that since this announcement was made last week they have been flooded with phone calls and mail from the community protesting the decision made and expressing their concerns for what happens to the poor victims when a Paramedic Advance Life Support person is not available at the scene of an accident. The ALS individual responding to a call can administer a life-saving intravenous solution or life-saving drug at the emergency site which can mean the difference between a person living or dying. "To cut this service is as irresponsible as you can get," says Legislator Oliverio. He went on to say that what is needed is for everyone to write to their elected officials and let them know how wrong it is to cut these ALS services. "Cut some other services like the Golf Course, not the Paramedics, it is just too critical a service," said members of the audience.
Putnam Valley Ambulance Corps representatives Sheryl Keating and Mike McCue gave an emotional plea for everyone to get involved with saving the Advance Life Support service and especially to make sure one stays located at the Putnam Valley Ambulance Corps building. Presently there are only four Paramedics to cover all of Putnam County. If Putnam Valley's Paramedic is eliminated, Putnam Valley would have to depend on a Paramedic responding from either Philipstown or Brewster/Southeast for support and that is not acceptable say Keating and McCue. Currently the Putnam Valley Paramedic is involved in 46 percent of their calls and many times they are the first ones on the scene of an emergency. Legislator Oliverio believes that the Legislature is going to be forced to come up with a compromise and continue the service until year end.
The fire and ambulance emergency services for the month of July both showed an increase in activity. Putnam Valley Fire Chief Bruce Johnson reported for the month of July they responded to: 10 Personal Injury Accidents, 19 Fire Related Incidents, 3 Wires Down, and 3 Miscellaneous for a total of 35 calls for the month and 239 calls year to date. Putnam Valley Ambulance Corps First Lieutenant Sheryl Keating reported 57 Medical Emergencies, 15 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 16 Paramedic on Board, and other calls for a record-breaking 80 calls for the month of July and 408 calls year to date. Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Sam Davis asked Legislator Sam Oliverio if a Town Resolution would be helpful in maintaining this service. Oliverio responded by saying, "yes it would, everything helps."
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