Recruitment & Retention

Chautauqua County has hired a consulting firm to draft strategies to address the EMS recruitment and retention crisis. The consultants interviewed regional EMS stakeholders, including myself, to identify barriers preventing volunteers from becoming EMS providers. Fire chiefs, EMS captains and community leaders were also interviewed. The consultant’s report and recommendations are expected in early spring. Once we receive it, our Regional Recruitment and Retention Workgroup will review the recommendations and develop the next steps. We contacted the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to determine why they haven’t announced awards for the recruitment and retention grant we applied for this summer. An internal restructuring delayed the review of applications. We were told to expect an announcement sometime in December.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone in the STHCS family a happy Thanksgiving Day. I hope you get to enjoy it with family and friends. Please know that families across our three counties are living happier, healthier lives because of your hard work and dedication. Your service matters. I’m grateful for being able to work with each of you as we face the health care challenges confronting our rural communities.