Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger says that ambulance corps are facing several hurdles. The cost of providing care is growing more expensive, volunteers are harder to come by and the number of older residents continues increasing.

To stem the tide, Metzger plans to allocate nearly $5 million from the county budget to help fund local EMS. The county will also contract some of the agencies to try and fill in the coverage gaps. 

“We're investing to support their cost of readiness," Metzger said. "So that will make sure that they have the resources to cover the areas that are currently underserved in Ulster County." 

Funding includes $2.8 million to be provided to nonprofit Advanced Life Support (ALS) anchor agencies to support their cost of readiness (these agencies maintain a 95% or higher response rate in their primary response jurisdiction); and $1.6 million for additional support for local townships and their EMS agencies (these funds may also support local municipalities who are seeking to contract a commercial EMS agency). 

Metzger's 2025 budget also includes a $500,000 grant program for EMS agencies to purchase equipment needed to enhance patient care. 

There’s also hope that this is the year New York state classifies EMS as an essential service through the state budget process, but that is still being worked out among legislators. That could open up more pathways for funding. 

New Paltz Rescue Squad CEO Matthew Goodnow said the new county funding will at least provide a spark toward sustainability. 

“We need to get a level with sustainability," he said. "And once we reach the level of sustainability, then it will not be an every year, ‘we need more money.’”