A full-scale drill, lifesaving classes, and the realities behind EMS funding.
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| Welcome back to The Pulse, your monthly look inside Middlebury Regional EMS. This month, we’re highlighting how Addison County prepares for the unexpected, invests in lifesaving skills, and supports the EMS system that shows up 24/7. From a countywide MCI drill to community training opportunities and an important look at EMS funding, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.
📸 Like the photos you see here? There’s a lot more where these came from.
Follow us on Instagram at @middleburyregionalems for training shots, field photos, and behind-the-scenes moments you won’t find anywhere else.
📬 Missed past editions? Catch up anytime here.
You’re receiving The Pulse because you signed up to stay connected with Middlebury Regional EMS. You can unsubscribe anytime below. |
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| VIDEO: A Full-Scale Stress Test for Addison County’s Emergency System |
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Last month, county responders joined a full-scale mass-casualty drill — a simulated school bus crash built to test communication, coordination, and rapid decision-making. |
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| Crews from local fire departments, EMS agencies, law enforcement, and Porter Medical Center worked through the full sequence of a major incident: establishing command, triage, coordinated treatment, and transporting patient actors to the hospital. These scenarios expose gaps you can’t spot in a classroom and strengthen the relationships that matter when real emergencies strike.
“Exercises like this are essential for keeping our crews sharp,” said Kate Rothwell, NRP, I/C, Executive Director of Middlebury Regional EMS. “They let us practice decision-making and teamwork in realistic, high-pressure settings — the kind of experience you can’t get from a classroom or policy manual.”
We’ve put together a two-minute highlight video that takes you inside the exercise and shows how Addison County prepares for worst-case scenarios — before they’re real.
▶️ Watch the Video Here: www.middlebury911.org/stories |
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| Did You Know? MREMS Helps Community Groups Teach Lifesaving Skills. |
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We partner with schools, rec programs, civic groups, and nonprofits to offer approachable first aid and CPR sessions for the public. |
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| These classes cover CPR/AED use, choking response, stroke recognition, and bleeding control — giving people simple, practical skills they can use while help is on the way. We also offer OSHA-recognized AHA Heartsaver courses for workplaces that require certification
If your organization is interested in hosting a class, you can learn more here:
🫀 Community First Aid & CPR: middlebury911.org/communityfirstaidtrainings ⛑️ Workplace Training: middlebury911.org/workplacefirstaidtraining |
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| In Case You Missed It: Why EMS Reimbursements Matter
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This September, the Addison Independent published a special Rescue Tribute Edition, a countywide spotlight honoring the work of fire, EMS, and first response agencies. The section featured agency |
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| It also dedicated space to one of the most significant challenges facing EMS today: the widening gap between what it costs to deliver emergency care and what insurance reimbursements actually cover.
One concern raised in the reporting was how changes to Medicaid eligibility and private insurance coverage could increase the number of uninsured patients local EMS providers care for. As Kate Rothwell, Executive Director of MREMS, explained: “If those individuals currently receiving Medicaid are unable to qualify, that means our pool of uninsured could certainly increase.”
EMS responds to every call — regardless of someone’s ability to pay — but when reimbursements fall short, the strain on agencies grows. It’s a challenge shared statewide and a reminder of why strong community support remains essential to keeping local emergency services sustainable.
📰 Read the article in the Rescue Tribute via the Addison Independent (no paywall) |
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| Stay Connected with MREMS! |
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Want to see more of what we’re up to between editions of The Pulse?
Follow us on social media for real-time updates, training photos, behind-the-scenes looks, and community news. |
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Thanks for being part of our community. Your support keeps us on the road. |
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| Our legal name is Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our EIN is 23-7085925 |
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| You’re receiving The Pulse because you asked to stay connected with Middlebury Regional EMS. If you’d rather not get these updates, no worries — you can unsubscribe anytime using the link below. |
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