Ulster County’s Department of Emergency Services is poised to take a larger role in supporting emergency medical operations across the region. This expansion comes after the county was granted a Municipal Ambulance Service Operating Certificate of Need by the New York State Department of Health.

The certification allows Ulster County to extend contracts with existing emergency medical providers and bring additional resources to areas where ambulance services are overburdened or strained.

Everett Erichsen, Director of the Department of Emergency Services, spoke with Radio Catskill’s Miguel Santiago Colón about what this change means for local residents. According to Erichsen, the move ensures that critical emergency services will be more consistent and better equipped to respond when minutes matter most.

The expanded capabilities aim to improve patient outcomes and alleviate pressures on current providers who are experiencing staffing shortages and rising call volumes.

The new certification is viewed as a step forward in building a more resilient and responsive emergency care system throughout Ulster County.