The establishment of a "bunk-in" program as been made possible by a grant received from the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO). Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Services and South Jefferson Rescue Squad, Inc. are the initial award recipients of $10,000 each to establish a program to assist students who are enrolled in the Paramedic Program at Jefferson Community College.
Students enrolled in the Paramedic Program will be able to apply to the ambulance services to "bunk-in" at their quarters. A portion of the grant money was used to build and furnish a bedroom. In lieu of paying rent the students will be required to take a minimal amount of ambulance call each week. "It is the intention of the ambulance services to assist students in successfully completing the two-year program and becoming New York State Certified Paramedics" said South Jefferson Rescue Squad President Deborah Mabe. The students will have designated preceptors at each agency who will be involved in their college experience to ensure that they are victorious in their endeavors. "Having students live in the emergency medical services environment will assist them in obtaining the knowledge to make their college occurrence easier" said Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Services Executive Director Roland (Rolly) Churchill.
The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) is a cooperative health partnership of hospitals, physicians, public health officials, and military medical leadership with a common goal to improve healthcare delivery for the residents of Jefferson, Lewis and southern St. Lawrence Counties. Support for the Paramedic bunk-in program is the result of a yearlong partnership between the FDRHPO EMS Committee and Recruitment, Retention and Education Project. "Our region's ambulance squads are there to provide care when we need it and , as a region, we need to ensure they have the resources to continue and grow", stated Denise Young, FDRHPO Executive Director, "we are pleased to partner with TIERS and South Jefferson Rescue Squad to begin a bunk-in program that will support local paramedic students and strengthen EMS care in the region".
An application for the student bunk-in program is attached.
