ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – The Tompkins County EMS Rapid Medical Response Program has officially launched.

The team from the Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response began its first day of service earlier this morning. Three vehicles and 10 paramedics or EMTs will be able to respond to 911 calls in difficult service areas across the county.

Two Jeep Cherokees and a Dodge pickup truck have been fitted with the necessary equipment. The 2-year pilot program seeks to cut down on slow response times. Almost all of the funding for the first year of the program came through a New York State grant.