Posted on June 1, 2023
HARTFORD- State Rep. David Rutigliano (R-122) supported legislation in the House of Representatives which looks to study shortages throughout the state in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers and volunteer firefighters.
The legislation, SB-1017 An Act Establishing a Task Force on The Shortage of Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Personnel in The State, establishes a task force studying factors causing the shortage of firefighters and emergency medical services in the state. The goal would be to examine efforts by an established task force would study ways to alleviate the shortage of services provided by EMS staff and volunteer firefighters.
“Many towns are currently plagued with the shortage of both EMS staff and volunteer firefighters as well as proper funding for services. These shortages directly impact the public health and safety of state residents. We need to get to the root causes of these emergency shortages and make sure these critical services continue for the good of the community,” said Rep. Rutigliano.
According to the EMS service, American Medical Response, the state’s EMS legislative working group, some of the issues that need to be discussed are, an increase in call volume, decrease in EMS ability to answer such calls, fewer recruited and retained EMS professionals, and inadequate financial support for the states EMS system.
Both the Council of Small Towns and the Connecticut Council of Municipalities support the legislation.
The bill has now passed both the House and Senate and awaits the governor’s signature.