Ambulance Service in Rural New York State - Issue Paper Series - April 2020

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo

Ambulance services deliver critical first-response care to rural communities across New York State. The New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) oversees the system, while many EMS agencies have closed in recent years. Key challenges include changes in volunteer capacity and staffing, an unstable funding model, and rising training requirements. This issue paper provides background on emergency services in New York and examines these challenges as experienced by municipalities and ambulance services in the Tug Hill region.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

REMSCO and SEMSCO and CON: Understanding the Language

Types of Emergency Medical Services

Municipal Role in Providing Emergency Medical Services

Funding

Staffing

Improving Efficiencies

Conclusion

I S S U E PA P E R S E R I E S Ambulance Service in Rural New York State April 2020 NE W YORK STATE TUG HILL C OMMISSION DULLES STATE OFFICE BUILDING · 317 WASHINGTON STREET · WATERTOWN, NY 13601 · (315) 785-2380 · WWW.TUGHILL. ORG The Tug Hill Commission Technical and Issue Paper Series are designed to help local officials and citizens in the Tug Hill region and other rural parts of New York State. The Technical Paper Series provides guidance on procedures based on questions frequently received by the Commission. The Issue Paper Series provides background on key issues facing the region without taking advocacy positions. Other papers in each series are available from the Tug Hill Commission. Please call us or visit our website for more information. North Shore Volunteer Emergency Squad, Cleveland, NY Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 REMSCO and SEMSCO and CON: Understanding the Language ................................................................. 1 Types of Emergency Medical Services ......................................................................................................... 3 Municipal Role in Providing Emergency Medical Services.......................................................................... 6 Funding ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Staffing.......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Improving Efficiencies ................................................................................................................................ 11 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 12 N Y S T u g H i l l C o m m i s s i o n I s s u e P a p e r S e r i e s Introduction Ambulance services provide critical first-response care in rural communities across New York State. The New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) oversees ambulance service. A significant number of emergency medical services (EMS) agencies have closed in the past few years. The challenges for EMS and ambulance services include volunteer and staffing changes, a dysfunctional funding model, and increasing training requirements. This issue paper provides background on emergency services in New York and explores each of these challenges as experienced with municipalities and ambulance services in the Tug Hill region. It is intended to add to the statewide conversation about this important topic. REMSCO and SEMSCO and CON: Understanding the Language Understanding the structure and oversight of emergency medical services in New York leads to understanding issues that arise in localities and how they might be addressed. The New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services has responsibilities including: • general oversight of the EMS system statewide including financial and staff support to the State EMS Council (SEMSCO) and Regional EMS Councils (REMSCOs) • approval of all Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications courses • assistance in developing curricula • approval of County EMS plans • conducting EMT examinations and issuing of EMT certifications • administering state aid and various grant programs • designation of trauma centers • conducting inspections of ambulance services • investigating complaints about emergency services SEMSCO: The State EMS Council or SEMSCO is a state-wide coordinating body comprised of representatives from the 18 REMSCOs plus 15 representatives appointed by the Commissioner of the Department

FAQs

What role does the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) play?

BEMS provides statewide oversight of the EMS system, supports councils, approves EMT certification courses and county EMS plans, administers state aid and grants, designates trauma centers, conducts inspections, and investigates complaints.

What are SEMSCO, REMSCOs, and CON used for in New York’s EMS system?

SEMSCO is a statewide coordinating body that helps develop rules and guidelines and provides leadership. REMSCOs foster regional cooperation among local providers. Certificates of Need (CON) are determined through a legal process before operating an ambulance service.

Which challenges are discussed for EMS and ambulance services in rural New York?

The paper highlights volunteer and staffing changes, a dysfunctional funding model, and increasing training requirements, noting that a significant number of EMS agencies have closed in recent years.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo