Crown Point (NY) Rescue Squad Dissolved

Feb. 14--CROWN POINT -- Crown Point Rescue Squad has shut down for good.

Crown Point Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Gregg Trask said on Friday that "it is with deep regret" that the town's volunteer ambulance service will no longer be able to function.

The squad had been unable to find a physician to serve as its medical director, a state requirement for an ambulance unit.

"From this point forward, emergency ambulance services will provided under contract with another agency in the area," Trask said by email.

"Currently, that is Lamoille Ambulance, based in Ticonderoga, who will respond to any emergency called into 911, and will transport the patient to the appropriate medical facility based on patient need."

The Vermont-based Lamoille Ambulance has an office in Ticonderoga that serves southern Essex County.

Lamoille Ambulance had been filling in for Crown Point under a temporary contract for more than a year, Trask said.

"Lamoille Ambulance, as a paid ambulance service provider, contracts with Crown Point Fire District to be available for response to the Town of Crown Point, and then bills the insurance company of those who use the service," he said.

'STRUGGLED FOR YEARS'

Trask said it was a very difficult decision for the Board of Fire Commissioners to make.

"It is an unfortunate situation, which saddens all of us who have worked so long to provide this free service to the residents of the Town of Crown Point," he said.

"We have struggled for years to gain enough volunteers to provide emergency services. We have examined every possibility in the last couple of years to replace our medical director, but we have been unsuccessful in finding someone who had both the proper qualifications and willingness to fill the post."

'FIRST-RESPONSE POSSIBLE'

Trask said that, without a medical director, the squad cannot maintain its Certificate of Need, as required by the State Department of Health, in order to operate as an ambulance squad.

He said the Fire District is looking into re-forming the squad as a First Response Team, which would allow members from Crown Point Fire Department to respond to assist patients before the ambulance arrives.

"These first responders would initiate care and be able to provide most basic medical intervention, but would not be able to transport to a hospital," Trask said. "Their focus would be on saving lives rather than transporting."

The team would require approval and licensing by the New York State Department of Health, Trask said, and might still require a medical director, but with less strict requirements than an ambulance group's medical director.

"We are deeply appreciative of all of those who have assisted in our ambulance service for the last 20-some years, and also those who have assisted in our recently investigations," Trask concluded.

"We will continue to work toward finding solutions that provide the best emergency response for the people of our town in the most efficient and economical way possible."

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