In a step toward rescuing New York state’s emergency medical services from an ongoing crisis defined by a depleted workforce, rising costs, and poor insurance reimbursements, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Friday, Dec. 19, directing all counties to develop and maintain a comprehensive, coordinated EMS system plan.
The bill, sponsored by State Senator Shelley B. Mayer (D-37), was passed by both the senate and assembly in June 2025. It tasks all counties to collaborate with their regional EMS council (made up first responders and public health officials), to help municipalities create a wide-ranging EMS strategy.
The legislation requires that the counties work with towns to provide the state with up-to-date assessments of the existing level of EMS care, a plan to provide extra ambulances where needed, and cost estimates.
Municipalities must also decide together how to deliver emergency services, such as the purchase of a new ambulance, contracting with a commercial EMS provider, or through regional collaboration (such as the $1.3 million agreement between Amenia, Millerton, and Dover).
The plans must be submitted on or before June, 2026 to the State Emergency Medical Services Council and the State Department of Health for “review and comment.”
The action comes following the receipt of a Dec.18 letter signed by 23 of the 25 Dutchess County legislators, urging Gov. Hochul to approve the bill. Senators Michael Polasek, (R-3), current assistant majority leader, and John D Metzger (R-12) withheld their signatures.
In January, they become minority leader and assistant minority leader, respectively. (Dutchess County Democrats flipped control of the legislature in November 2025, and will hold a 15 – 10 majority when they assume control in the new year.)
Legislator Chris Drago (D-19) said that he organized the letter, which was also sent to Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106), Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41), and Gov. Hochul’s Mid-Hudson representative, Pavin Naidu.
“I hope our letter was one of the reasons Gov. Hochul signed the bill,” Drago said. “I think the state is gathering information right now, to decide what the next step is. They need to declare EMS an essential service.”
Earlier this month, Drago’s emergency services amendment to Dutchess County’s $653.5 million 2026–27 budget was voted down, 15–9.
The proposal would have allocated $750,000 for EMS volunteer stipends, established a pilot program to subsidize ambulances, and provided countywide EMS planning support. Drago said he drafted the amendment as a contingency if Gov. Kathy Hochul declined to sign the state legislation. “At least now, this will light a fire under the counties to get to work and do what we’ve been talking about for years,” he said.
Saving EMS requires providing EMS workers a livable wage. Most EMS providers have to work overtime or two jobs to afford paying rent. Pouring into agencies that don’t provide livable wage or offer affordable healthcare makes no sense if people can’t afford to work in EMS..
The EMS field is a stressful demanding job. There’s no recognition, no real benefits or room for promotions. So many leave for better paying jobs with real benefits and better working conditions. So retaining someone requires giving them what they need to live with comfortably. Try providing them with 💯 paid medical coverage, a livable wage and no more than a 10hr daily shift so it leads to retention, not burnout. As for volunteers perhaps a stipend to help out with things like food and health insurance costs would be nice.
FD the bravest, PD the finest, EMS the forgotten. Great, new ambulances on the road. Where are the bodies? I’ll tell you. “You mean I can go work a 9-5 job at Amazon and work overtime if I choose starting 20+ dollars an hour minus the PTSD and sleepless nights?” EMS starting pay: 18 dollars maybe 20 with experience. Long hours, multiple jobs, PTSD, lack of mental health support, crappy health insurance, WHERE IS THE MONEY FOR EMS! You want coverage, pay up! We have been the red headed step children in the first responder community long enough!