Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger today announced the release of the “EMS Services Delivery Report,” prepared by the Center for Public Safety Management, LLC, a consultant selected to assess EMS services in Ulster County and recommend options for improving service delivery. The report, initiated by former County Executive Pat Ryan in 2021, presents survey data collected from Ulster County ambulance and first responder agencies throughout the County, assesses the current state of EMS and ambulance service delivery, identifies challenges faced by the County’s EMS providers, and presents a range of options for the County and its stakeholders to consider for future EMS and ambulance service sustainability.
In all, the study examines data from 43 EMS service providers, including 21 ambulance agencies and 22 first response agencies, and identifies gaps in service and EMS service provider needs. While focused on Ulster County services, the report notes that service delivery challenges are not isolated to Ulster County but are part of a larger national crisis.
The County report comes at a key moment as the Governor and Legislature negotiate the 2025 State Budget, which includes legislation that would designate Emergency Medical Services as an essential service, like fire and police, and create a pathway to bolster recruitment and sustainably finance EMS services for the long term.
“I want to thank Congressman Pat Ryan for initiating this study when he served as County Executive, as well as the EMS Task Force he convened to craft the RFP, our County Emergency workers, and all the EMS workers and stakeholders who contributed time, attention and information to the study,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “Ulster County, as elsewhere in the country, has seen a decline in coverage, especially in certain geographic areas, due to the well-documented challenges of recruiting and retaining EMS practitioners. At the same time, the proportion of the population that is 65 years of age or older continues to increase, which places increased demands on an already strained system. The County is committed to the goal of achieving sufficient service Countywide and supporting our dedicated EMS practitioners, and we urge the Legislature to make the necessary changes in State law to designate EMS as an essential service. This is a public health and safety issue, bottom line.”
“We have been diligently monitoring the EMS crisis within Ulster County and are heartened by the release of the comprehensive study,” said Everett Erichsen, Ulster County Department of Emergency Services Director. “The situation has been worsening over the years, underscoring the urgency of the matter. It's imperative to acknowledge that this issue transcends our county and state boundaries; it's a national crisis. Ensuring the availability of a patient-centered, reliable, affordable, and sustainable EMS system is paramount for all who depend on it. We must collectively strive for solutions that address the broader national context while meeting the unique needs of our local community.”
The EMS Report is now available, is included as an attachment with this release and can be found online, here: https://ulstercountyny.gov/emergency-services, https://ulstercountyny.gov/sites/default/files/EMS-Report-3-26-24.pdf
