HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 02-10 Hughes bill to allow paramedic funding THE REVIEW Hughes bill to allow
paramedic funding
State Senator Jerome M.Hughes today community support."
said he has introduced legislation which Hughes said State Senators John Milton
will enable the city of Maplewood to and William McCutcheon will co-author
continue funding for its paramedic the bill, which also has the support of
program during the coming year. State Senator John Chenoweth.The House
"Mapleweod's paramedic program,in companion will be carried by
operation since July,has proven itself to Representatives Richard Kostohryz and
be a vital life-saving effort,"Hughes said. Howard Neisen.
"The legislation will provide the city with Hughes,said the Maplewood Paramedic
the tax levy authority to continue funding Unit has averaged two emergency runs
for the program." per day,with as many as five runs in a
Hughes added that the Maplewood single working day.
paramedics, between July and Decem- "Currently, the Maplewood Police
ber,made more than 300 emergency runs Department has five certified medics,
—with 115 of those cardiac related. and four officers are expected to complete
"The paramedics in Maplewood have their paramedic training in mid-March,"
proven their ability to handle cardiac Hughes said."The funding provided for in
cases,as well as a variety of cuts,injuries this legislation will enable Maplewood to
and traumas," Hughes said. "Local continue to operate—and even upgrade
residents and local officials recognize —one of the first paramedic programs in
this,and the excess levy legislation has the nation."
Feb)."-Al/C)/197E.