In March 2025, Ulster County Officials announced a $4.9 million investment into Emergency Medical Services. That plan, however, transformed into a $4.7 million plan, which the Ulster County Legislature approved in a unanimous vote of 21 to 0 Tuesday. County officials said the plan will provide financial support, incentives and new measures to strength services around the county. Within the approved plan, $2 million will go toward supporting current medical services in cities and towns that meet performance standards and $2.7 million to contract with Advanced Life Support agencies to serve residents where gaps or increased demand may arise.
“This plan is a result of a lot of hard work and negotiations and represents the most comprehensive path toward fully responsive EMS services in Ulster County,”ย said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.ย “By investing in existing EMS providers, we can ensure faster response times, better-equipped agencies, and a stronger safety net for all residents.”
According to county officials, about two-thirds of the 911 calls dispatched in Ulster County are advanced life support calls. The coverage plan will equip agencies with a paramedic for these calls. The plan also introduces new compliance measures including eligibility criteria, financial disclosure requirements and performance-based funding mechanisms like Critical Response Incentive payments. Agencies will also be required to showcase effectiveness in emergency response.
“This plan is about action, about making sure that when someone calls for help, trained EMS providers arrive quickly and fully prepared,”ย said Everett Erichsen, Director of the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services.ย “The demand on our EMS system is growing, and lives depend on our ability to respond. This funding model strengthens day-to-day operations, supports the agencies doing the work, and builds the accountability we need to protect every resident who relies on emergency medical care.”
