Greene County EMS stops taking 911 calls amid statewide crisis
- Southwest EMS, the largest provider in Greene County, has ceased 911 call responses due to financial constraints.
- Insurance coverage for emergency responses is insufficient, leading to many EMS operations going out of business.
- Local officials are calling for urgent funding and systemic fixes to ensure adequate emergency response times.
Emergency medical services in Greene County are facing a significant crisis, particularly highlighted by the decision of Southwest EMS to stop responding to 911 calls due to financial difficulties. This situation is exacerbated in rural areas where response times can exceed 40 minutes, raising concerns about public safety. Richard Policz from Greene County Emergency Services emphasized the dire state of the EMS system, stating that it is fundamentally broken. The financial model for EMS operations is unsustainable, with insurance companies covering only 60% of emergency responses. This gap in funding has led to many EMS providers either shutting down or limiting their services to non-emergency situations. In the wake of Southwest EMS's withdrawal, Fayette EMS and Washington Ambulance and Chair have stepped in to cover Greene County, but this arrangement stretches their already limited resources. As a result, response times across the state are increasing, creating a precarious situation for residents who may require urgent medical assistance. Greene County Commissioner Blair Zimmerman has called for immediate action to address the funding issues and improve the EMS system. He stressed the importance of having timely medical responses available to the community. Unless systemic changes are made, the strain on EMS operations will continue to grow, putting lives at risk during critical emergencies. The need for a comprehensive solution to the funding and operational challenges facing EMS services is urgent and cannot be overlooked.