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Ulster County lawmakers have approved a new ambulance plan involving the New Paltz Rescue Squad and the Gardiner Fire District. Starting as early as June, the New Paltz Rescue Squad could begin responding to advanced life support calls in Gardiner, pending state certification. Gardiner will contribute $55,000 towards the creation of a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.
The plan, part of a broader EMS Coordinated Coverage Plan, aims to strengthen emergency services across Ulster County. According to Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, the initiative will help close service gaps and improve response times. The county is also applying for a Municipal Certificate of Need from the New York State Department of Health to ensure coordinated and efficient EMS delivery.
Despite the approval of the Gardiner partnership, a broader funding resolution that would have injected over $1.6 million into countywide EMS reform was tabled. Some legislators expressed concerns about funding formulas potentially favoring urban centers over rural areas, where EMS response times can be significantly longer.
The Gardiner pilot is seen as the first application of Ulster County's authority to operate EMS across municipal boundaries, granted by a resolution passed earlier this year. The county continues to work with the state to finalize the necessary certifications before the new services can begin.