Paramedic Service is Fiscally Prudent, Consistent with Our Core Values

To the Editor:

The Town of Monroe should be proud that our elected and appointed officials are investing in the safety of our residents, while enhancing a vital public service. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Commission, with the support of the Town Council and Board of Finance, has succeeded in securing the funding of a paramedic-level Monroe EMS.

Monroe EMS is a volunteer-based service, certified by the State of Connecticut to provide basic life support. This care is currently provided by Emergency Medical Responders and Technicians. While this level of care is essential, certain patients require the advanced life support skills of Paramedics, such as the urgent administration of medications or insertion of breathing tubes.

While Monroe EMS still needs to complete a state-level review and approval process, the funding needed to be in place to move this program forward. Let me be very clear: Decisions regarding public safety, including your local municipal ambulance service, should never be based upon politics.

However, it is with great pride that I thank our Republican-led boards and commissions, especially the EMS Commission, for their hard work and leadership in making our community safer. This project is fiscally prudent and consistent with our core values of utilizing our tax dollars in a responsible fashion.

Jeff Guttman

Chairman, Republican Town Committee