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Legislators approve county municipal certificate of need to expand ambulance options
Summary
Ulster County’s law enforcement and public safety committee approved a resolution authorizing pursuit of a municipal certificate of need and operating authority for ambulance services, a move sponsors said will give the county more flexibility to contract with private ambulance companies and improve 911 response across town lines.
Ulster County legislators approved a resolution Feb. 5 to authorize the county to apply for a municipal certificate of need and operating authority for ambulance services, a step sponsors said will give the county more options to contract with private ambulance providers and improve 911 response times.
Legislator Kovac, the sponsor, told the committee the move follows a unanimous August 2024 request that the state issue more certificates to private ambulance companies to enhance 911 coverage. He said county legislators then met with the New York State Department of Health, which “recommended Olster County government should have a municipal certificate of need,” and that the certificate would “give us more flexibility and more options with dealing with private contractors for private ambulance companies.” Kovac emphasized that 911 calls cross municipal boundaries and that county oversight could help towns coordinate coverage.
Director Ericson of Emergency Communications and Emergency Management told the committee the county has been in talks with local towns and volunteer agencies — including Gardener, the town of Lloyd, Newport Rescue and Marbletown First Aid — about coverage gaps. Ericson said the certificate of need would help the county work with advanced life support (ALS) providers in the northern part of the county and support supplemental EMS services in southern towns where volunteer agencies currently handle many calls without reimbursement.
The committee moved to amend the resolution, approved the amendment and then adopted the amended resolution. The record shows the motion carried; one legislator said, “I opposed,” during voice voting.
Why it matters: Sponsors and county emergency staff described the change as a practical tool to reduce response time and create more contract options for towns that lack full EMS coverage. The committee said the county would continue coordination with municipalities and state agencies as next steps.
What’s next: Committee members said they expect further discussion at county‑level forums (including forthcoming meetings where this issue will be raised) and implementation steps will follow after the county secures the municipal certificate of need.
