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USDA Grant Helps Richford Ambulance Service Purchase Life-Saving Equipment

Name
Pollaidh Major
City
Richford
Release Date

The Richford Ambulance Service purchased two new defibrillators to increase the quality of emergency health services for the towns of Richford, Berkshire and Montgomery and Enosburg this year. USDA Rural Development provided the Town of Richford a $33,000 Community Facility Program grant to acquire the machines that allow Emergency Medical Technicians to monitor patients and provide life-saving procedures in the event of cardiac arrest.

“Rural communities face unique challenges providing prehospital emergency medical care,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Ted Brady. “A rural ambulance service needs to provide the same level of care as an urban ambulance despite running fewer calls, having fewer resources, and depending on fewer personnel.  This grant will help the Richford Ambulance Service provide state-of-the-art care and enable them to use the savings to invest in other equipment and people.”

The Richford Ambulance Service typically transfers patients 30 miles to the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans. They run between 400 and 500 calls annually. The new defibrillators replace old equipment, also purchased with USDA support, which is now outdated. The upgraded units have improved defibrillation, pacing and CPR capabilities as well as integrated WiFi and Bluetooth capacity that can facilitate the transfer of emergency patient data directly to a hospital.

USDA Rural Development supported the ambulance service through its Community Facility Program that provides loan and grant funding to community institutions to enhance essential community facilities that improve the quality of life for residents of rural communities. In past years, the Town of Richford has benefited through this program by receiving grant support for their fire truck and a generator for the emergency shelter, while the Richford Health Center received loan and grant funding to develop its facilities across Franklin County. 

Communities and non-profit organizations that provide essential community services can apply for a grant through January 9, 2017.  Loan applications are accepted on a rolling basis through April 14, 2017, for up to a 40 year term at 2.375 percent.

Brady and several USDA Rural Development officials were in Richford Wednesday where they saw the new defibrillators, visited USDA financed and supported housing, and discussed future town needs with select board members, Richford Economic Advancement Corporation board members and others.

USDA, through its RD mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of $215 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas. For more information on Rural Development visit the Vermont Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov/vt ) or contact USDA RD at (802) 828-6000.