Vermont Department of Health to hold meeting on regional emergency medical services in Hartford

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Vermont Department of Health is holding a series of meetings on regional emergency medical services this month, including one in Hartford on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.

The meetings are intended to give community members, EMS and public safety professionals, hospital and local officials a chance to provide input into a study of the coordination of regional emergency medical services. Findings from the study will be used to make recommendations to the Legislature for improving the services.

Items to be discussed include the costs of service, existing and alternative funding models, challenges and opportunities related to emergency response coordination, and the overall EMS district structure, authority, duties and number of districts.

The department held meetings over the past month in St. Johnsbury, Manchester, Chester and Northfield. Additional meetings this month are scheduled in Newport and Williston.

In addition to the upcoming sessions, the public can submit comments online by Oct. 30 at emergencymm.net/vermontemsstudy. More information about Emergency Medical Services in Vermont is online at HealthVermont.gov/EMS and information about becoming an EMS provider or volunteering for the Medical Reserve Corps is online at OnCallforVT.org.

The Hartford meeting will be held at the Hartford Fire Department, 810 VA Cutoff Road in White River Junction.