2020 is obviously going to be the year that we all start to do things a little differently! Due to the pandemic that has changed the world forever, many things we all look forward to have been cancelled, or at the least, indefinitely postponed. This includes EMS Week 2020. Unfortunately we will not be able to hold our annual EMS Banquet and Awards Presentation next month. But we can’t let current events stop us from celebrating who we are and what we do! We are asking for all crews, shifts, agencies, departments or organizations who do EMS to sent us some pictures! We want to see, and be able to share, pictures of your smiling faces, shiny rigs, spiffy rescues, and your comfy quarters!

Please email us your pictures (preferably in .jpeg format,) on or before May 13th. You can send all submissions to REMSCO@midstateems.dreamhosters.com. We will be posting collages of the submissions throughout EMS Week, May 17th-23rd!

As of today, St Elizabeth’s has stopped using their outdoor respiratory tent due to a decrease in need. The tent will remaining standing for now, in case a need returns. The St Luke’s tent remains open as it has been.

Please be advised that due to reasons beyond our control, the RESOURCE line will not be manned by an operator tomorrow, SATURDAY, April 18th from 0700-1830 hrs. Please continue to utilize the RESOURCE phone number during this time. There will be an automated system in place during that time frame that will allow for providers to press a specific number to be patched through to a specific hospital to give report. Please do not call the receiving hospital directly if at all possible. Any issues or problems, please notify Vinny, Dan or Melissa ASAP.

The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems invites EMS Agency Leadership and EMS Providers for a direct conversation with the leadership of the Bureau regarding the current EMS system and our operational concerns.  Please encourage all interested EMS agency leaders and EMS providers to complete the online form to express interest in receiving an invitation to the meeting: https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/ems-agency-leadership-and-ems-pr

Any questions are still submitted through the current survey: https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/nys-covid-19-response-ems-agency

Due to the ongoing issues with COVID-19, the annual EMS Memorial presentation scheduled to be held May 19th, 2020 in Albany has been postponed at this time. The Memorial will be rescheduled for a later date.