News & Announcements

Within the next few months, Saratoga County will go live with a simulcast EMS and Fire paging system on 155.925 MHz. While designed to dramatically boost reception, the new system will operate under new FCC narrow band licensing requirements causing older pagers to no longer function. All services are once again reminded to verify that all EMS and Fire pagers are narrowband capable prior to the end of 2010. A simple rule of thumb for Motorola pagers is to look at the front of the pager. Minitor V pagers are narrowband capable, all other models are NOT and will not work once the simulcast system goes live. Additionally, the Saratoga County Motorola pager purchasing contract expires on 12/31/10. Any agency needing to purchase replacements is strongly encouraged to take advantage of this rock-bottom pricing before the contract expires.

DOH issued an advisory to Emergency Service Agencies on access to confidential HIV related information in cases of occupation exposures. Click here for a copy of the advisory.

Effective July 7, 2010, the nightly (18:00) EMS pager test will be abbreviated to only four agencies: Providence, Edinburg, Stillwater, and General Schuyler. This resulted from a survey of EMS Administrators and Chief Officers conducted last month, subsequently released for commentary by all Saratoga County EMS providers during June. The change is being made because the majority of Corps receive enough pages during the course of each day to not require daily testing. Contact EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy with any questions (mcevoymike@aol.com).

County EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy issued a February 23rd memo reminding agencies of their obligation to keep Communications advised of crew status. Many agencies have not complied with County and REMO policies requiring notification to EMS Dispatch when crews are not available to staff ambulances listed as in service for the agency. Click here for a copy of the memo.

The Office of Emergency Services will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 starting at 7:00 pm at the Hyatt located at Exit 12 and Rte 67 in Malta. Representatives from each EMS agency are encouraged to attend to learn more about the final phase of the new radio project, see actual radio equipment, and learn about the timeline for completion of the new radio system for Saratoga County. RSVPs are required to OES at (518) 885-2232. Click here for a flyer with additional details about the meeting.