May 21^st – May 27^th

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims the week of May 21^st as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Ulster County and joins the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in celebrating the 43^rd National EMS Week. EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide lifesaving services to our communities. This year’s National EMS Week theme is “EMS STRONG: Always in Service.” This theme recognizes our EMS Providers and their constant service to communities through first response, treatment and transport, prevention and intervention through Community Paramedicine and Mobile Integrated Healthcare.

Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive

“Our EMS Personnel are invaluable and play a vital role in our community saving lives every day,” said County Executive Mike Hein.  “They are usually the first to arrive at the scene of an accident or other emergency situation and have the ability to provide both basic and advanced medical care on the spot.   Ulster County recognizes and salutes all of our emergency medical services professionals and we thank them for all they do to safeguard the health, safety and well-being of our residents.   Many EMS organizations need additional help so I also encourage anyone who may be considering working in the EMS field to contact your local organization.  For more information please visit the County website or contact our Emergency Services Department at 845-331-7000.  Once again, we thank each and every one of these amazing men and women for all that they do and for the lives that they change.”

Steve Peterson, Ulster County Director of Emergency Services

“The men and women who serve in Ulster County’s Emergency Medical Services are "Always in Service" and responded to 26,643 calls for service in 2016,” said Steve Peterson, Ulster County Director of Emergency Services.  “These dedicated professionals serve Ulster County with compassion, skill and dedication each and every day as they put their lives on the line protecting our residents and visitors.  We are sincerely grateful for each and every one of them, EMS STRONG!”

Richard Muellerleile, Ulster County Emergency Medical Services Coordinator and Chief of the Town of Shandaken Ambulance Service

"This EMS week we recognize those dedicated individuals that work day in and day out to rectify the worst days of others' lives. Our EMS professionals are undoubtedly the superhumans that Ulster County expects them to be, and our citizens and visitors are truly fortunate to have such dedicated individuals at the front line of medicine," said Richard Muellerleile, Ulster County EMS Coordinator, Deputy Chief, Town of Shandaken Ambulance Service. "County Executive Hein's dedication to all of our first responders, commitment to our advancement, and recognition of our hard work exemplifies strong leadership in its truest sense."

Everett Erichsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Assistant Chief of the Highland Fire District

"County Executive Mike Hein continues to diligently work with Emergency Services to ensure that we stay at the forefront of education, recruitment and retention to ensure that the residents of Ulster County receive the best services possible.  I appreciate his efforts in working with us to accomplish these goals," said Everett Erichsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ulster County Fire Chiefs Association and Assistant Chief of the Highland Fire District. 

Currently in Ulster County there are 14 basic life support (EMT Level) non-transporting agencies. The non-transporting agencies consist primarily of fire departments and police agencies that are certified to provide EMT Level care before an ambulance arrives. There are currently 12 basic life support (EMT Level) transporting EMS organizations, and 5 advanced life support (paramedic level) transporting ambulance services in Ulster County. EMS is the second busiest emergency service in Ulster County – surpassed only by the police agencies in call volume.

There are three agencies that provide EMS training in Ulster County: Mobile Life Support Services, Woodstock EMS Programs, and the Ulster County Ambulance Association. These organizations have trained thousands of practitioners since their inception and are an indispensable part required for the sustainability of the EMS system.

EMS weeks' roots date back to November 3-10, 1974, when President Gerald Ford declared the first "National Emergency Medical Services Week." To honor those answering the call, the Ulster County EMS Council Awards Dinner will be held on May 24, 2017.

This year’s Ulster County EMS Award Recipients are:

• BLS Provider of the Year:                                    Glen Pomerantz, Kerhonkson Accord Rescue
• ALS Provider of the Year:                                    Lori Kay, Woodstock Rescue Squad
• EMS Agency of the Year:                                     Olive First Aid Unit, Inc.      
• Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership:                         Christopher Hyatt, City of Kingston Fire Dept./Mobile Life Support Services
• EMS Educator of Excellence:                                Chad Burkhart, Mobile Life Support Services
• EMS Communications Specialist of the Year:            Scott Anzalone, Ulster County Emergency Communications
• Registered Nurse of Excellence:                            Robert Bertholf, Ellenville Regional Hospital
• Registered Nurse of Excellence:                            Randi Smith, Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley
• Physician of Excellence:                                      Dan Miller, Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley
• Advanced Practice Provider of Excellence:                David Michaelson, Ellenville Regional Hospital
• Excellence in EMS Quality and Safety:                    Richard Parrish, Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley
• EMS Driver of the Year:                                      Donald Van Nostrand, Kerhonkson Accord Rescue
• Ulster County Police Officer of the Year:                 Ulster County Police Chiefs Association

For more information on becoming a paramedic, EMT or a driver, as well as other opportunities to help in your community, please visit UlsterCountyNY.gov and click on the EMS Week at the bottom of the page, or stop by one of our many EMS organizations today, or call 845-331-7000 for more information.

Attachment: (1) Proclamation, (2) Pictured Above - Olive First Aid Unit, Inc. – the EMS Agency of the Year (from left):  Paula Minew, Treasurer; George Schoonmaker, EMT/Driver;  Cindy Denise, Driver; Steve Peterson, Ulster County Director of Emergency Services; County Executive Mike Hein; Yvonne Fuller, Chief of Operations; Richard Muellerleile, Ulster County EMS Coordinator; A.J. Halstein, Deputy Chief; Virginia Wiswall, Senior Tech.