ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- Paramedics, emergency medical technicians and other first responders now have a place to rest in between calls in Chemung County.

The ribbon was cut on an EMS Support Room at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira this afternoon. The room aims to serve as a place where first responders can take a moment to relax and regroup during their shift. 

The space has comfortable chairs, a coffee maker, snacks, and notes of encouragement for those who work hard in a variety of situations to get people to the hospital to receive care. 

"They are seeing some very stressful things, and working odd hours, 3:00, 4:00 in the morning, going from call after call, and just to have a couple moments to grab a coffee, grab a snack if they haven't had the chance to eat yet, I think it's very important," said Dr. James Bohan, Director and Chair of Emergency Medicine with Arnot Health. 

Richard Kimball, Director of Erway Ambulance, appreciates the support of Arnot Ogden by creating this place of rest.

"It’s important because our job is difficult, and more and more we are busier and busier, and this just gives a place to unwind, it gives a place in between calls and just eat your lunch. You’re not always able to get back to the station because you’re always moving, so this give us a place really centrally located, because that’s where we do most of our work, gives us a place to sit down and relax and unwind," Kimball said. 

The EMS Support Room is located near the Emergency Department at Arnot Ogden, and is open to staff of ambulance services, fire fighters, and law enforcement.