Vermont's Emergency Medical Services System Is Struggling to Survive. Can It Be Saved?
Seven Days
Colleen Ballard knew her industry was in distress. The seasoned paramedic had been hearing doomsday predictions about the future of emergency medical services for years, and her colleagues at Essex Rescue were feeling the strain of rising call volumes, staffing shortages and underfunding.
But it was not until she took over as chief in early 2020 that she realized just how dire the situation had become.
Essex Rescue needs at least two ambulances and about 16 full-time EMTs and paramedics to cover the 30,000 residents it serves across Essex, Essex Junction, Underhill, Jericho and Westford. But a shortage of volunteers was leaving big gaps in the schedule, forcing the agency to bring on more paid workers — something it couldn't afford.