EMFD Contracts with Northwell for Additional Ambulance Coverage

Responding to a growing need for requests for emergency medical services in the community, the Board of Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Northwell Health Center for Emergency Medical Services for additional ambulance and emergency medical services to back up the fire department during times when the volunteer fire department ambulance may be on another call, or its members are not readily available.

“The uptick in ambulance requests, coupled with fewer people volunteering in the emergency medical services, is creating a challenge for the fire department to continue its long-standing commitment to providing a proper and timely response to medical emergencies,” said Commissioner Carey A. Welt. There is no additional cost to the fire district in contracting with Northwell, according to Commissioner Welt, who noted that Northwell is the largest hospital-based ambulance service in the New York Metropolitan area.

Rescue Company 5, the busiest company in the EMFD, operates two ambulances from headquarters on East Meadow Avenue and one from Station 4, off Carman Avenue, in the northern portion of the district. The ambulances are dispatched to an emergency when the fire department is dialed directly or to assist the Nassau County Police Department’s Emergency Ambulance Bureau as a backup. The fire district encompasses 7.5 square miles and provides fire and emergency medical services to nearly 50,000 people in East Meadow, parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury). “Often, during the day, our volunteers aren’t available because of work commitments, and we’re seeking ways in which we can ensure that an ambulance is not delayed when it’s needed,” stated Commissioner Keith J. Hoffman, who added, “Like the East Meadow Fire Department’s emergency medical service volunteers, Northwell’s EMT’s and paramedics pride themselves on delivering the best possible care to the patients they serve.”

In a related matter, the Board of Commissioners also announced the creation of a dedicated EMS Squad to supplement Rescue Company 5’s response to medical emergencies by providing drivers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics from the current ranks of the department’s firefighting companies throughout the district. The EMS Squad and the existing Firemedic Squad will respond to emergency calls to help reduce EMS and ambulance response times. “The goal is to dispatch first responders before an ambulance to assess and treat patients,” explained Commissioner Welt. “We believe the newly created EMS Squad and our contract with Northwell for additional ambulance services will benefit the patient in terms of a faster response time and appropriate emergency medical care.”

“The Board of Commissioners continues to prioritize ensuring a professional and proper response to medical emergencies,” concluded Commissioner Hoffman. “We believe the enhancements we’re making to our EMS response system will help provide the high level of emergency response that our residents have come to expect.”

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury), is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel; no experience is necessary. The fire department provides the training required. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost. For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com, or call 516-542-4565.