Kirk Imperati Sheriff at Dutchess County | Official website
Kirk Imperati Sheriff at Dutchess County | Official website
Ahead of the release of the 2025 Executive Budget, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced a $2 million investment in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The funding will support supplemental ambulance coverage, a public awareness campaign, and workforce development initiatives.
In 2025, Dutchess County plans to partner with municipalities to launch a supplemental ambulance coverage program. This initiative will contract with commercial providers to enhance EMS response and reliability. It aims to serve as a temporary measure while long-term solutions are developed. The program seeks to diversify EMS vendors within the county, potentially lowering costs for municipalities and improving service reliability. Additionally, it is expected to reduce the overuse of mutual aid services.
The investment will also fund a public awareness campaign designed to educate residents on when to call 911 and explore other medical options. The goal is to inform the public about the critical role of EMS services in Dutchess County.
To address workforce shortages, recruitment efforts are underway to attract more job seekers into this field. The county is implementing first responder resiliency training and peer-to-peer support networks for mental and emotional well-being.
County Executive Serino initially outlined this multi-pronged approach in her State of the County Address in March. Since then, she has collaborated with municipal leaders and emergency response officials across Dutchess County to discuss challenges facing EMS services.
A bipartisan coalition joined Serino in advocating for the New York State Association of Counties' 'Rescue EMS' legislative package. This advocacy resulted in legislation allowing EMS providers to bill for 'treatment in place' and transport patients to alternative destinations by ambulance.
Serino also launched a new 'Fly-Car' Grant Program with the Dutchess County Legislature. This program provides life-saving equipment grants up to $20,000 for fire departments’ vehicles equipped with unified EMS recruitment messaging decals.
County Executive Serino will present her 2025 Executive Budget on October 29, 2024, at 3 PM in the Dutchess County Legislature Chambers. The address can be viewed live on dutchessny.gov/budget2025. A tele-town hall forum will follow at 6:30 PM for residents’ participation.
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