Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media that paramedic and former Greene County Legislator Aidan O’Connor has been appointed to a statewide task force charged with addressing the challenges faced by rural ambulance services. O’Connor will join the 12-member New York State Rural Ambulance Services Task Force formed under a bill advanced by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey. The task force was established to study and evaluate the difficulties rural ambulance services are faced with, leading to staffing shortages and the potential closure of rescue squads. O’Connor is the Greene County EMS Leader and he will aid the task force in making recommendations to the state Legislature about policies, programs, funding, and legislation to shore up rural ambulance services and help ensure their long-term viability. O’Connor has served as EMS coordinator for Greene County, chair of the Greene County EMS Council, president of Greene County Paramedics, and advocacy coordinator for the National Association of EMTs. He has also been on the board of directors for the Regional Emergency Medical Organization and has been a member of the State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee and co-chair of the Greene County Ambulance Task Force. O'Connor has also served as a critical care flight paramedic. He is currently a member of the senior leadership team at Air Methods and a paramedic with Greene County EMS. “I am honored for the opportunity to serve at a time so vital for our EMS providers, EMS organizations, and the patients and communities we serve,” O’Connor said. “... I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of transport medicine. We know that EMS in New York state can, and will be, a best practice model for the nation.” Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.