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Ulster County moves to host one‑year paramedic certification with SUNY Cobleskill
Summary
The Law Enforcement/Public Safety Committee approved an MOU to partner with SUNY Cobleskill to run a one‑year paramedic certification in Ulster County; county officials said the program could produce hireable paramedics by September 2027 and addresses an urgent staffing gap.
The Ulster County Law Enforcement/Public Safety Committee on March 18 approved a memorandum of understanding to host a one‑year paramedic certification program with SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill.
The county’s commissioner of emergency services said Ulster County currently sponsors basic life support and EMT instruction and that the new MOU would allow Cobleskill—described in the meeting as an established paramedic program—to deliver a one‑year certification here. “We need paramedics now,” the commissioner said, describing the program as an operational decision to supplement local staffing shortages. The commissioner added that, under the plan, the county expects to have paramedics available to hire by September 2027.
Legislator Levine asked whether nearby SUNY Ulster or SUNY New Paltz had objected to the arrangement; the commissioner replied the other institutions currently lack the capacity to run a one‑year certification and could pursue multiyear associate programs if they choose. The commissioner also said recruitment and instruction would be advertised through Ulster County and the SUNY partner.
Committee members moved and approved the resolution by voice vote.
The action creates a one‑year partnership beginning in August (as described by the commissioner) and is intended to accelerate paramedic certification locally compared with two‑ to three‑year associate programs, according to the county’s presentation. No funding breakdown was given at the committee meeting; budgetary and staffing details beyond the general timeline were not specified.
The committee recorded the approval as Resolution No. 112; the commissioner said additional operational details and advertising plans will follow through county channels.
