AUGUSTA —Alarmed by the ongoing staffing crisis on ambulances across the state, the Maine Board of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agreed December 1 to send resolutions to the Governor’s Office, all members of the Maine Legislature, and the Maine media.

“The Board of Maine EMS acknowledges that we are in a staffing crisis and we commit to making this an immediate priority to obtain and recruit qualified professionals,” the first resolution reads.

The Chair of the Board of EMS is Brent Libby. The Chair-elect is Amy Drinkwater.

The second resolution follows:

SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE IN MAINE

Resolve: 

Whereas, emergency medical services are an integral component of the Maine healthcare system. EMS clinicians provide critical life-saving interventions, safe transportation, and a variety of other healthcare functions in all communities throughout Maine. 

Whereas, there currently exists statutory language that requires all municipalities to have a fire chief but is silent on emergency medical services (30-A MRS § 3153). Additionally, through statutory language, all areas of the state are covered by law enforcement personnel at the local, county, or state level. 

Whereas, the Maine EMS Board recognizes and acknowledges the immense stress and instability within the current EMS system at this moment in time related to a variety of factors, including workforce recruitment and retention.

Whereas, the Maine EMS Board believes that every Mainer or visitor to the great State of Maine deserves timely, effective, and high-quality emergency medical services no matter where they are located within our borders.

Whereas, Representative Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland has put forth a concept bill to be considered during the Second Regular Session of the 130th Legislature of the State of Maine entitled, “An Act to Establish the Provision of Emergency Medical Services as an Essential Service.” For which the Maine EMS Board eagerly awaits draft language for review.

Be it RESOLVED, the Maine EMS Board and its appointees, in a vote of 16 to 0, to hereby wholly support and endorse the initiative to have emergency medical services recognized as essential services at the county-level throughout the State of Maine. Doing so would align Maine with most other states with similar legislation. Where there are 16 established county governments that know their area and could provide equitable and robust services to all the citizens and communities within their jurisdictions. Placing the requirement at any lower level of local government than the county-level, may ultimately detract from the system and prove to be a detriment for sustainability.