By ARIELLA MONTI
between the fire department and North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital for supplemental ambulance service from 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., when volunteer emergency medical technicians are in short supply.
"If my wife, daughter or loved one needed medical assistance, I want to know they'd be getting the best possible care," said Trustee Andrew Karamouzis of his decision to vote in favor of the contract.
The vote came after two years of research and meetings involving the village and the fire department, which were seeking a solution to a statewide problem: a shortage of volunteer EMS services during the daytime hours, when personnel are at work.
The village, by law, already pays for supplemental services from the Nassau County Emergency Ambulance Bureau. The fire department said it did not favor the coverage by the county, and backed what it felt was a better system offered by North Shore LIJ, which has similar programs with New York City and the Town of Islip.
From 6 in the morning to 6 at night, North Shore will provide an ambulance staffed with a paramedic and an EMT for use within the borders of Rockville Centre that can be found in different locations depending on the time of day. A second ambulance would also be provided if needed. The cost of the service is dependent on the number of calls North Shore LIJ responds to, and an exact figure cannot be determined until the six-month trial period is complete.
According to Comptroller Michael Schussheim, the village has already allocated $200,000 in this year's budget for the service, but the village anticipates spending significantly less than that.
According to Brian O'Neill, vice president of emergency services of North Shore LIJ, North Shore would pay penalties to the village for insufficient service, including responding to a call in more than nine minutes.
"At the end of the day, they're the experts," Trustee Jeanne Mulry said of the fire department. "We need to listen to our own experts."
Comments about this .story? AMonti@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
