Hazards & Emergency Response

Recruitment of both paid and volunteer emergency responders, particularly police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, is becoming an increasing challenge for communities in the North Country. The low wages, high stress, need for significant training and investment in education, and unpredictable schedules makes it difficult to attract and retain new recruits. Financial strain is real for paramedics, because current reimbursement rates often fall short of covering the true costs of emergency response. 

One hospital administrator noted that in 2023, the State of Maine passed legislation creating a $31 million grant program to support emergency medical service providers there. Another suggestion was that insurance companies could provide Standby Capacity Payments, which are funds provided to emergency service providers not just for the services they deliver, but for the capacity they maintain to be ready to respond. For instance, in a rural area, an ambulance service may only respond to a few calls per day, but it still needs trained staff, equipment, and vehicles available 24/7. Without guaranteed calls or billing, these services often operate at a loss. Similarly, suggestions were made that insurance companies could fully cover all rural paramedic services and even other acute healthcare services in rural hospitals, such as emergency departments and obstetrics. As one hospital administrator said regarding insurance company funding for critical rural hospital service lines, “it seems like one of the only promising, untested ways to fund certain essential aspects of rural health.” 

The Warren County Office of Emergency Services presentation by Director Ann Marie Mason at the Adirondack Climate Conference in March 2025 provided a background on the Hazard Mitigation Planning process for predominantly rural counties. Hazard Mitigation Planning plays a crucial role in reducing and eliminating loss of life and property as extreme weather events seem to increase in frequency and severity.

Ms. Mason shared that disaster mitigation efforts are cost-effective, with every $1 invested saving an estimated $6 in future disaster-related losses. She explained that recovery programs help communities return to their pre-disaster condition, but hazard mitigation planning focuses on preparing ahead to minimize the impact of future hazards.

A comprehensive county Hazard Mitigation Plan is developed every five years and requires FEMA approval. It includes a wide range of strategies for:

1. structural projects, like property acquisition and improved drainage

2. plans and/or regulation changes (such as zoning updates)

3. public education campaigns

4. natural resource protection efforts like stream and wetland restoration.

Ms. Mason noted that it is essential to regularly review and update hazard mitigation plans both to stay current with community needs, and also to maintain eligibility for grant funding and aid. State and federal disaster aid is only triggered once certain damage thresholds are met, both locally and statewide.