County Executive Sue Serino has prioritized EMS with a multi-faceted effort to address gaps in EMS coverage, improve response time, and ensure life-saving care. The far-ranging efforts are coordinated through the Department of Emergency Response.
Since January 2025, through a contract with the County, Empress Ambulance provides provides 24/7 supplemental ambulance service, including two Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and one Advanced Life Support (ALS) fly car, under the direction of the Dutchess County 911 Communications Center.
These resources are strategically stationed in regions where response times have historically been longer and are repositioned in real-time to improve coverage when primary service providers are at response capacity. These ambulances do not replace primary coverage; they are supplemental support to ensure care gets to patients when primary coverage or mutual aid is unable to get to the patient in a timely manner.
Dutchess County provides grants up to $20,000 each to provide critical, life-saving equipment to fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance corps for their ‘fly car’ vehicles. Visit Dutchess County’s online grant portal for more information on the current grant cycle.
Fly cars, which are non-transporting EMS vehicles, are often first on the scene of an emergency, transporting EMS first responders who can provide emergency medical services to stabilize patients until an ambulance arrives to transport them if necessary.
In December 2024, County Executive Sue Serino announced the first 10 organizations to receive Fly Car Grants, which have been used to purchase equipment such as automatic chest compression systems and upgraded defibrillators, among others.
The grant initiative is also a targeted recruitment campaign, as the fly cars for each recipient organization now display branded, unified recruitment messaging encouraging residents to explore career and volunteer opportunities in EMS. Visit our EMS Careers page for more information.
County Executive Serino, with the Department of Emergency Response (DCER), has been hosting regional meetings across the County to discuss EMS data and potential solutions with municipal leaders and fire department officials. These meetings are also an opportunity to gather information about equipment needs, potential gaps in service, and hear feedback on the County's supplemental ambulance service.
DCER has also continued serving as a facilitator for a shift toward regional contracts to enhance service, improve response time, ensure comprehensive coverage and drive down cost for municipalities.
Dutchess County's EMS Matters: Essential Care, Saving Lives campaign is designed to help share important information about EMS, the critical role it plays in our community, and how the County is committed to ensuring its success. The campaign also includes educational info about when to call and ambulance vs. when to use other resources like Urgent Care facilities.
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