The Current Projects of The Friends of EMS for Maine
- The Maine EMS Memorial and Education Site – Update and Improvement
- In 2023, a diseased bush planting was replaced. In 2022, the Rick Petrie and Jay Bradshaw families donated two trees after an original tree on the site became diseased and had to be felled.
- Two “Maine EMS System Builder” honorees, Dr. Peter Goth and Paramedic Kevin McGinnis, were added to the granite memorial for their contributions.
- Repairs to brick and granite work were made by Friends volunteers and extensive weeding and mulching was done through the spring and summer. Lighting repairs were made and seals were replaced on two glass portions of two pillars.
- Updating of Site brochures, signage and audio tour were cited as needed as soon as possible.
- The EMS Informed Community Self-Determination (ICSD) Initiative
- Developed as a tool for sustaining communities and their ambulance services, ICSD programming received $250,000 in 2022 for new projects to be available through 2024 and beyond.
- Projects were completed successfully in Union and Old Town thanks to a $50,000 grant to the Friends from the Maine Health Access Foundation. Union has added its first full-time paramedic position as a result.
- An ICSD Guide Faculty Preparation program took place in Augusta this summer and the ranks of ICSD Guides have increased to six , including: Gary Wingrove, Jay Bradshaw, Mike Senecal, Jonnathan Busko, Jesse Thompson and Kevin McGinnis. In addition, two ICSD Guide Apprentices completed the program: Butch Russell and Chuck McMahan. All are now available to bolster the ICSD ranks to handle requests for projects beginning in 2024.
- In 2022, the Legislature approved $200,000 for Maine EMS to support ICSD projects. The Maine EMS Board continues to finalize rules for making these funds available.
- The Revitalized Maine EMS Honor Guard is Now an Official Friends Initiative
- The Friends has spent the past year working with Maine EMS Honor Guard founder Ron Morin and longtime stalwarts, Carl French and Michael Mirasola, to make this resource once again widely available throughout Maine. These leaders have successfully recruited and trained several new members, redesigned the uniform, and will be previewing their new cadre at the Samoset Conference.
- Donations totaling $5,600 were received from Sugarloaf Ambulance-Rescue Vehicles, Ron Morin, Joanne Lebrun, and Delta Ambulance to support the Honor Guard uniforms. The Friends Board also donated $5,000 to the cause.