Assemblymember Brindisi Authors Legislation to Ensure Continuity of Ambulance Services

June 11, 2012

In an effort to strengthen the local economy and maintain quality emergency services, Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) authored legislation that passed the Assembly to remove the automatic two-year review process regarding municipal-based emergency medical and first-responder services (A.9943-B).

“Over the last two years, our municipal ambulance service has been a great success in our area,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “This service has been vital to those needing an ambulance and has brought in over $900,000 to our city. Every million dollars the city can offset can save taxpayers approximately five percent in tax revenue. This savings and the health of our families shouldn’t be compromised due to government bureaucracy.”

Currently, New York allows a two-year trial window for all municipal-based emergency medical and first-responder services to operate. After the two-year period, the local government that offers these services is subject to a costly and unnecessary review process to prove that these extra city services are needed in their region.

Assemblymember Brindisi’s legislation would allow municipalities and fire districts across the state to apply for permanent certification to operate local emergency ambulance services without proving public need as long as these services meet the appropriate training, staffing and equipment standards mandated by the state.

“We should be supporting programs that provide important services to the public and help our city’s economic future, not getting rid of them,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “We have spent time and money training municipal employees in advanced life support and we have the appropriate equipment to provide these services. The enactment of this legislation will save taxpayers more of their hard-earned money by providing additional revenue to the City of Utica and decrease local taxes. ”

The bill is supported by the NYS Professional Firefighters Association, Unshackle Upstate and the NYS Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials; and now awaits passage in the State Senate, where it is currently in the Health Committee.

Robert Palmieri, Mayor of Utica, said, “I am thrilled that the Assembly has passed Assemblyman Brindisi’s bill. I look forward to a similar outcome in the State Senate. Cities like Utica that have demonstrated the ability to deliver emergency medical services effectively and efficiently should not be hindered from doing so by a cumbersome state bureaucracy. We have proven ourselves beyond question.”

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