Supplemental ambulance services cover deficiencies in Dutchess County

POUGHKEEPSIE — As a means of improving emergency services coverage in Dutchess, the county has contracted with Empress Ambulance Service to provide supplemental coverage for those in need of rush transportation for medical treatment.

The coverage, which stems from a $2 million EMS investment as part of the county’s 2025 budget, is designed to address deficiencies in emergency transport throughout Dutchess.

As part of its contract with the county, Empress will provide around-the-clock service with the aid of strategically positioned vehicles — two Basic Life Support ambulances and one Advanced Life Support fly car — to support coverage in areas where response times have lagged. This initiative, which kicked off on the first day of 2025, saw 58 emergency responses in its first week of existence in towns throughout the county including Pine Plains, Pleasant Valley, and southerly destinations such as Fishkill.

While the support from Empress will boost emergency service response, it is strictly supplemental coverage and will not replace primary coverage. The purpose of Empress is to ensure emergency service transport in the event primary ambulance coverage or mutual aid is unable to reach patients in an expedited fashion. In addition to the agreement with Empress, the county is also in discussions with Ambulnz by DocGo to act as a secondary provider. If a contract with Ambulnz comes to fruition, their function would be to serve at peak demand times as well as provide on-call service for Dutchess government-hosted events in the event of emergencies.

Supplemental ambulance coverage in Dutchess is an initiative which county executive Sue Serino has prioritized over the past year due to its clear and urgent need, especially in the more remote areas of the county. “By contracting for countywide ambulance units, we are addressing gaps in EMS coverage, improving response times and ensuring neighbors have access to timely, high-quality emergency care,” Serino said. “Whether it’s a medical emergency in a rural area or a large-scale event requiring immediate major response capabilities, these resources will assist in ensuring that help will arrive when it’s needed most.”