Pleasant Valley (Dutchess NY) EMS Agency of the Year

[PVFD233 68]

Story that was published

"Dutchess County NY, - The Pleasant Valley Rescue Squad recently was awarded not only Dutchess County EMS "agency of the year" but Regional Agency of the Year. On May 23rd 2007 the PVRS received the award for Dutchess County EMS agency of the year which then placed the squad into consideration for Regional "Agency of the Year". On June 20th 2007 the PVRS was presented The Hudson Valley Regional EMS Council's "Agency of the Year" award which included nominees from 6 counties such as, Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, Orange, Rockland and Sullivan.

While most Rescue Squads have suffered from the lack of membership, PVRS has grown from 18 EMTs and 7 drivers in 2003 to 38 EMTs and 23 drivers in 2007. While the membership is growing the response times are getting lower. Over the last 3 years the response time have dwindled down to about 5 minutes from 11 minutes. PVRS has implemented a PAD program (Public Access Defibrillator Program). The program provides businesses in the area with capability to provide CPR/AED to their occupants. 6 Current locations from churches to Gyms which then ables employees to get "Early Access" to citizens in need.

While 2006 was a very good year, the Squad is building for a even better year in 2007. "