gn0226-5

State Senator Shelley Mayer announced that her bill, S.8806, which amends previously enacted legislation directing counties, working in coordination with cities, towns, villages, and other EMS providers, to develop comprehensive, countywide plans for coordinated emergency medical services, has passed the Senate unanimously.

This legislation builds on the EMS bill that was signed into law last year, sponsored by Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis, by adding provisions requiring the Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with state and regional emergency medical services councils, to provide a model format for county plans and provides for DOH review and feedback to the counties. This bill gives counties a clear roadmap to assessing and improving EMS within their counties and will strengthen and improve EMS statewide. 

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am pleased that the State Senate has passed this important legislation to provide greater support to EMS providers across New York. This agreement between the Legislature and the Governor represents a meaningful step toward addressing the serious, statewide challenges facing our EMS systems, including the gaps in coverage and unacceptable wait times affecting communities both upstate and downstate. By establishing a framework for counties to better coordinate emergency services and supporting them throughout the review process, we are helping ensure that EMS providers have the tools they need to care for New Yorkers. I am grateful to my colleague, Assemblyman Steve Otis, for his partnership in this effort, and to the dedicated EMS professionals across the state, especially those in my district, not only for their service, but also for their longstanding advocacy. I look forward to this legislation coming before the Assembly.”

Assemblyman Steve Otis said, “The goal of our legislation, and the Chapter Amendment approved today, is to advance the EMS reform process by asking local governments to work together to evaluate the status of EMS service in their areas and develop county plans to make sure every New Yorker has reliable emergency medical response. We believe that EMS planning statewide must respect the variation and flexibility that has been the hallmark of emergency response in New York. Counties, cities, towns, and villages will work together to draft plans that include the variety of public and private provider structures based on what local officials believe will be the most successful in their region. Our great appreciation goes to Governor Kathy Hochul, the NYS Department of Health, our municipal government, emergency service, and fire district organizations for working with Senator Mayer and me to move this important next step forward.”