Plan Will Help Address Service Gaps and Provide Financial, Educational, and Administrative Assistance
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, together with County and local officials and EMS providers, held a press conference today to present Ulster County’s plan to strengthen Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and address service gaps in the County, including a proposed $4.9 million County investment in existing EMS services around the County. Joining County Executive Metzger in presenting the Plan was Director of the Department of Emergency Services Everett Erichsen, New Paltz Supervisor Amanda Gotto, Gardiner Town Supervisor Marybeth Majestic, and New Paltz Rescue Squad CEO Matt Goodnow.
The EMS Coordinated Coverage Plan is a comprehensive approach to strengthening the EMS system and closing gaps in service in the County, involving financial support, service coordination through the County Department of Emergency Services, and training programs and incentives to address EMS personnel shortages. As outlined today, the plan includes $2.8 million for the cost of readiness of core ALS agencies throughout the County. ALS includes a paramedic and provides a higher level of care (for instance, in cases of heart attack or stroke) than Basic Life Support, or BLS service. Nearly two-thirds of 911 calls dispatched in Ulster County are ALS calls.
An additional $1.6 million will be provided to bolster core service for municipalities with EMS contracts and incentivize a high response rate to calls. In addition, County Executive Jen Metzger announced the creation of a $500,000 grant program for BLS agencies to purchase equipment for a higher level of patient care. The Department of Emergency Services will provide training in use of the equipment. Also included in County Executive Metzger’s 2025 Executive Budget are several training and certification initiatives to expand the EMS workforce.
“EMS is an essential service for public health and safety, and we face critical service gaps in the county due to declines in volunteers over the years as well as increasing costs,” said County Executive Jen Metzger. “The plan we are proposing will help close these gaps, improve response times, and ensure that our residents get the emergency care they need when they need it. I want to thank Emergency Services Director Everett Erichsen and his team in the EMS Division as well as Deputy County Executive Jamie Capuano for their diligent work on this Plan.”
"We have a strong team at the Department of Emergency Services that has been diligently addressing critical EMS challenges, including the significant shortage of paramedics and EMTs, insufficient cost of readiness funding, and increasing call volumes. Ultimately, the EMS Coordinated Coverage Plan is more than a funding mechanism — it is a comprehensive strategy to transform emergency medical services in Ulster County,” said Everett Erichsen, Ulster County Department of Emergency Services Director. “Our end goal remains unwavering: to create an Emergency Medical Services system that is patient-centered, accountable, and sustainable. By addressing workforce challenges, providing strategic financial support, and creating innovative coordination mechanisms, we offer a forward-thinking solution to the complex challenges facing emergency medical services in the modern healthcare landscape."
“Applying for a Municipal Certificate of Need and pursuing EMS funding represent vital steps toward building a stronger, more reliable emergency response system in Ulster County,” said Legislator Jason J. Kovacs. “These efforts will help ensure that every resident, regardless of location, has timely access to life-saving care. They also reflect our commitment to supporting the dedicated EMTs and paramedics who serve our communities every day."
Additionally, Ulster County is applying for a Municipal Certificate of Need (MuniCON) through the New York State Department of Health, which will enable the County to partner with local EMS agencies for ALS coverage of targeted areas. With a MuniCON, Ulster County can oversee contracts and service quality and ensure a coordinated, financially viable, and efficient approach to EMS delivery.
For more information on the EMS Coordinated Coverage Plan, visit participate.ulstercountyny.gov/ems-plan
* Two additional documents: EMS Key Terms and EMS Challenges and Solutions, are attached to this release.
