REPORT: LCSR holds emergency meeting amid ongoing tension over potential EMS crisis

LOWVILLE- Lewis County Search & Rescue reportedly held what has been referred to as an emergency meeting Monday night as tensions rise over the ongoing EMS trouble.

This development is according to some of the latest reports from WWNY-TV.

For the last several months, there has been back and forth between various emergency officials and county figures over how to best handle EMS going forward.

Challenges include staffing and volunteer shortage. For context, it is reported that Search & Rescue handles a majority of the calls countywide.

As previously reported, the results of an independent study suggest that the county take hold and run its own EMS system, which would mean taking ownership of the ambulances and staff.

During a meeting last week among county officials, Josh Levesque, who heads Lewis County Search & Rescue, claims the county gave two choices: have him removed from being chief and allow county control over the board, or, the county would go ahead with its own independent EMS system.

However, it is reported that Lewis County officials have disputed that, but rather the proposal is to help prevent a crisis from boiling over.

County Manager Timothy Hunt told reporters that local government wants to help, but also does not want to commit funding to Search & Rescue without further oversight in regards to how that money is used.

Chief Levesque has remained steady with his stance, and that means finding the best solution moving forward.

Lewis County Search & Rescue image.