County to Apply for Municipal Certificate of Need, 

Pending Legislative Approval

KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has announced that the County will partner with municipalities and EMS Agencies to help close gaps in Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in underserved areas, based on a plan presented to the County Executive in January by Ulster County Emergency Services Director Everett Erichsen. 

Under the plan, the County would apply for a Municipal Certificate of Need (MuniCON) to enable the County to partner with local EMS agencies for ALS coverage in targeted areas. The County Legislature is considering a resolution introduced by Legislator Jason Kovacs to authorize the application for the MuniCON. 

ALS, in contrast to the Basic Life Support Service (BLS) typical of many volunteer EMS agencies, provides a higher level of medical care needed for more serious conditions such as heart attack, major trauma and stroke. ALS calls account for 60% of all EMS calls in the County, and filling gaps in this service is critical. The plan is consistent with the main function of County Emergency Services to coordinate and oversee emergency response. The County would enter into contracts with existing ALS providers and oversee billing and service, with costs shared among participating municipalities and agencies. In addition to closing gaps in service to their communities, local governments also save time and staff resources on administering EMS contracts themselves.

Other benefits of a County MuniCON are: 

• Centralized oversight of contracts and financing and improved quality control;
• Enhanced mutual aid and system-wide collaboration;
• Increased support for EMS agencies to ensure sustainability.

“Ulster County, like many counties across the state, faces gaps in this life-saving service, and the County Department of Emergency Services can play a very valuable role, improving response times and patient care while also reducing the burden on municipalities for overseeing ALS contracts and financial reimbursements," said County Executive Jen Metzger. “I want to thank Emergency Services Director Everett Erichsen for developing this plan, and I also want to thank Legislator Kovacs for introducing the necessary resolution enabling us to apply for the Certificate of Need." 

"Ensuring timely and effective EMS response is critical to the health and safety of our communities in Ulster County,” said Everett Erichsen, Ulster County Department of Emergency Services Director. “By working closely with Municipalities and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and partnering with existing NYS Ambulance Service Operating Certificate holders, we are creating a more coordinated approach to EMS coverage. This collaboration is vital to strengthening our response times and enhancing the overall quality of care, ensuring that we are prepared to meet the needs of our residents both now and in the future."

"This resolution is a critical step toward ensuring that every resident of Ulster County has access to reliable and timely emergency medical services," said Legislator Jason J. Kovacs. "By applying for a Municipal Certificate of Need, we are putting the health and safety of our community first, empowering the County to fill gaps in ambulance services where they exist, and ensuring that no one is left without life-saving care when they need it most."

“This proactive approach emphasizes our continued commitment to addressing the challenges of sustainable, accountable, patient-centered EMS service in Ulster County,” said Ulster County Deputy Director/EMS Coordinator Pamela Finnerty.

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