By Allison G. S. Knox
Contributor, AMU Edge
As COVID-19 continues to spread, we are learning more and more about resource management on a national and global scale. Since the onset of the public health crisis, we have heard about all sorts of resource deficiencies, particularly with ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and intensive care units (ICUs). We’ve also learned more about the many areas of society including restaurants, theaters and gyms that have been greatly affected by the pandemic.
Ambulances and Resource Management
Hospitals, ICUs, and various community needs have been an important piece of the overall management of the pandemic. Emergency Medical Services (ambulances) too have been hit hard.
While we understand that many different areas of society need specific assistance, the problems with ambulance services are compounded by the myriad issues that have affected them for years. In 2019, an article in The New Yorker highlighted how rural America is facing shortages of ambulance personnel and resources.
Ambulance agencies have struggled for decades with not having sufficient resources. It has been the subject of debate and academic research by scholars working to make appropriate recommendations for fixing these problems. So, when ambulance agencies in rural communities call attention to the very serious issues they are experiencing dealing with the pandemic, their scarcity of resources really shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
COVID-19 as a Resource Opportunity?
COVID-19 has created ample opportunity to rework various aspects of ambulance services’ budgets because it is vital that they receive adequate funding. Further, the pandemic has shown just how tight resources are while also placing an unprecedented financial burden on the United States. NBC News has also highlighted the financial burden COVID-19 has placed on ambulance agencies.
In many ways, advocates for EMS will argue that now is the time to ramp up budgets. But, realistically, with businesses closing and tax revenues down due to the coronavirus, it will be difficult for jurisdictions to expand their budgets.
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