AUGUSTA - The Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State will hold its first meeting today, Thursday, Sept. 1. The commission established by the Legislature will examine and make recommendations on the structure, support and delivery of emergency medical services in the State.
"Emergency Medical Service departments across the state work hard under immense pressure to show up when families need them most. However, too many EMS departments are understaffed and under-resourced. This puts entire communities at risk," said Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, Senate Chair of the Commission. "This commission is about hearing directly from first responders, digging into the systemic challenges facing EMS departments and working together to come up with long-term solutions. More importantly, it ensures that first responders - the people we count on to show up in these emergency situations have a crucial role in charting the path forward."
"Maine's emergency medical service providers have faced unprecedented challenges over the past two years, and we know Maine's system has been increasingly strained for years before the pandemic," said Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, House Chair of the Commission. "Commissioners recognize the fundamental role that EMS plays in our public safety and health care delivery systems. Now is our opportunity to take action: our EMS workers have told us again and again that we are on an unsustainable path and that policymakers have not acted. It is time we hear them and act."
The Legislature formally recognized that emergency medical services provided by an ambulance service are essential services through the legislation that established this commission, LD 1988.
The meeting will be held at the State House this afternoon in Room 228 and can be livestreamed via the Legislatures website. Meeting materials and other information can be accessed via the commissions webpage.
WHAT: Blue Ribbon Commission to Study EMS meeting WHEN: Today, Thursday, Sept. 1, 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. WHERE: State House, Room 228 LIVESTREAM: https://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#228.
Contact:
Christine Kirby (Curry), 294-2468,
Jenna Howard (Talbot Ross) , 214-3185