The off-load delays for Essex-Windsor EMS to drop off patients at the hospital are having a big impact on its budget.
During Wednesday night's Essex County budget deliberations, Essex-Windsor EMS asked for a 6.85% increase over last year's budget.
Chief Bruce Krauter says he tried to hold the line but there are a lot of variables and issues that are out of his control especially with off-load delays.
The delays happen when there aren't any beds available and paramedics have to wait with the patient.
He estimates it is having a $2-million impact on the EMS budget.
Krauter tells AM800 news, in some cases paramedics have to wait hours to drop off a patient because there aren't any beds.
"After 30 minutes we start the clock on the off-loads and they can run from 45 minutes to 4 hours," says Chief Krauter. "Our average 1 hour and15-20 minutes of off-load delays and that's the average over a year."
Last year's EMS budget came in at $240,000 over budget.