MOUNTAINTOP SUPERVISORS AMBULANCE STATEMENT

As Mountaintop Supervisors, we feel compelled to respond to the recent editorial written by [Matthew Marlow], the Chief of Operations from the Greenville Rescue Squad. While we respect his passion for EMS, the narrative he presents is misleading and omits critical context.

Most notably, he has not attended a single meeting related to the county’s EMS planning. These meetings have been open, transparent,

and productive; they have served as a platform for EMS professionals, town officials, and county leaders to voice concerns, ask questions, and work collaboratively toward meaningful solutions.

What he presents as fact is often secondhand information, much of it inaccurate or incomplete.It is also important to recognize that Greenville Rescue Squad is a paid service operating under a longstanding contract with the Town of Greenville. 

This is a contract that, by many accounts, has been a source of frustration for local officials who have had no viable alternative provider and who

pay a premium for that service.

That context is essential. It is fair to question whether the squad’s

opposition to the county’s plan stems more from a desire to protect their not-for-profit structure than from a genuine concern for the health of the broader EMS system. 

Furthermore, Greenville Rescue Squad declined to participate in the EMS study that formed the foundation of this proposal; this decision speaks volumes about their willingness, or lack thereof, to be part of a collaborative

solution.

Let us be clear, this initiative is not about undermining local identity or dismantling community-based squads. It is about addressing a growing crisis in EMS staffing, service reliability, and long-term sustainability.

The current system is fragmented and overstretched. Continuing to patch holes without structural reform is not a responsible path forward.

Many of us have been involved in EMS for decades. We understand the burden placed on our providers, many of whom work between eighty and one hundred hours a week, often juggling multiple jobs just to stay afloat. 

That is not safe for them, nor is it safe for the patients they serve.

For the first time, we have town leaders, legislators and a county administrator aligned in a shared effort to change that reality.

A consolidated EMS system would create opportunities for full-time

employment with fair wages, benefits, and career advancement.

EMS must be treated as a true profession, not just a stepping stone or a temporary job. This is how we recruit and retain the workforce our communities need and deserve.

The claim that this process is being rushed or forced without input is simply false. This proposal is the result of months of study, discussion, and outreach. EMS professionals have been invited to every meeting.

A dedicated committee was formed to ensure their voices were heard. In the coming weeks, three public forums will be held to offer even more transparency and community engagement. 

We encourage every resident to attend, ask questions, and hear the facts firsthand. Do not rely on rumor or speculation; this is a complex issue that deserves thoughtful, informed discussion rather than fear-based opposition.

These challenges are not unique to Greene County. Rural communities across the country are facing the same strain on EMS systems due to workforce shortages and rising demand. 

Rather than wait for a total breakdown, we now have a chance to build something better. A countywide system would bring consistency in care, expand training and advancement opportunities, and ensure that

no town is left unprotected. 

This is not about creating winners and losers. It is about designing a

system that works fairly for everyone. The suggestion that towns have been excluded from this process is also incorrect.

In fact, it was the towns themselves that formally requested the county explore a unified EMS model in September of last year.

This effort did not originate from the top down. It was initiated by local leadership that recognized the current system was failing and asked the county to explore alternatives.

Since then, the towns have played an active and ongoing role in shaping this proposal through committee work, public meetings, and open dialogue. 

To suggest otherwise is not only inaccurate, but it also diminishes the hard work and good faith of those who have been involved from the beginning.

Finally, we must confront the operational consequences of doing nothing. When the number of service calls exceeds the number of available ambulances, and towns lose their only rig to cover nearby municipalities in crisis, we are already seeing a system under stress. 

What happens if a town decides to stop answering calls altogether? That would place the burden squarely on neighboring communities and compromise public safety across the board.

We need a coordinated, equitable system that provides reliable EMS coverage to every resident of Greene County, not just to those fortunate enough to have legacy contracts or existing infrastructure.

Change is never easy. But we cannot allow fear, misinformation, or comfort with the status quo to prevent us from doing what is right. Greene County deserves an EMS system that is professional, stable, and built to last.

We support this effort because it is the right thing to do for our providers,

for our towns, and most importantly, for the people who rely on these vital services every day.

Respectfully,

Mountaintop Supervisors and Mayors Association: Greg Cross, Prattsville supervisor, Thomas Hoyt, Windham supervisor, Greg Kroyer, Jewett supervisor, Sean Mahoney, Hunter supervisor, JoEllen Schermerhorn, Lexington supervisor, Richard Tompkins, Ashland supervisor.