Old Forge Volunteer Ambulance Corps Inc

OLD FORGE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS RURAL TRAINING PROJECT - THE OLD FORGE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS IS AN EMS PROVIDER IN RURAL HERKIMER AND ONEIDA COUNTIES. THESE AREAS HAVE A LOW YEAR-ROUND POPULATION THAT SURGES DURING THE SUMMER AND WINTER TOURIST SEASON; OFTEN ADDING MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUIRE EMERGENCY CARE. THESE AREAS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING A RISING INCIDENCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AN INCREASE IN 911 CALL VOLUME AND A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF RESPONDING EMTS. ADDITIONAL TRAINED EMTS ARE CRITICAL TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES. OLD FORGE IS SEEKING FUNDS TO OFFER COMPREHENSIVE EMS TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS RURAL COMMUNITIES IN HERKIMER, ONEIDA, AND NEIGHBORING MADISON COUNTIES. TRAINING WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE ONLINE AND THROUGH VIRTUAL/AUGMENTED REALITY PROGRAMMING WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE GOAL IS TO ADDRESS THE SERVICE GAPS AND ENHANCE THE DELIVERY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES; THUS IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR ALL RESIDENTS.