Ulster County Recognizes The Dedication Of All EMS Providers And Their Vital Role In Our Community
Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims the week of May 15th as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Ulster County and joins the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) in celebrating the 42nd 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 “Called to Care.” The theme signifies the commitment of EMS practitioners to providing service and answering the call of a career that demands passion and purpose, day in and day out.
Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive
“Our EMS Personnel are invaluable to our community and simply put they are lifesavers. In many cases they are the first to respond to medical emergencies and provide both basic and advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency or en route to a hospital,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “Ulster County salutes all of our emergency medical services professionals and commends them for the critically important contributions they make in safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of our community. 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 responded to over 22,000 calls for service in 2015,” 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."
Richard Muellerleile, Ulster County Emergency Medical Services Coordinator and Chief of the Town of Shandaken Ambulance Service
"EMS week is an immensely important week for Emergency Medical Services providers nationwide, as it is the one time specifically dedicated to recognizing those who are on the front line of medicine,” said Richard Muellerleile, Ulster County EMS Coordinator, Chief, Town of Shandaken Ambulance Service. “I commend County Executive Mike Hein for recognizing the importance of sustaining the quality of pre-hospital emergency medical care delivered to the citizens and visitors of Ulster County."
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 understands the need to ensure that we stay at the forefront of recruitment and retention for Emergency Services and 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 20, 2016.
This year’s Ulster County EMS Award Recipients are:
1. BLS Provider of the Year: John Rushkoski, Woodstock FD Company 5
2. ALS Provider of the Year: Kevin McGrath, Ellenville Rescue Squad
3. EMS Agency of the Year: Ulster Hose Co #5
4. EMS Leadership: Mathew E. Molinaro, Ulster Hose Co #5
5. EMS Communications: Robin Vanderley, Ulster County Emergency Com Ctr
6. Nurse of Excellence: Rondine Cattell, HAHV Broadway Campus
7. Nurse of Excellence: Evan Hampel, Ellenville Regional Hospital
8. Life Time Achievement: Peggy Vitarius, HAHV Broadway Campus/Shandaken Ambulance
9. Physician of Excellence: Amy Gutman, MD, HAHV Broadway Campus
10. Physician Assistant: Shane Wible, PA, Ellenville Regional Hospital
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.
Pictured above (from left): Matt Maher, Lieutenant, Town of Esopus; Mike Brian Parr, Captain, Town of Esopus; Richard Muellerleile, Ulster County EMS Coordinator; County Executive Mike Hein; Steve Peterson, Ulster County Director of Emergency Services; and Brian Conner, EMT, Town of Esopus.
