Relates to the provision of municipal advanced life support first responder service or municipal ambulance service

2 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Tom Libous

BILL NUMBER:S6515A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the provision of municipal advanced life support first responder service or municipal ambulance service

Purpose

This bill provides that a municipality or a fire district acting on behalf of a municipality, and acting through its local legislative body, is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt and amend local laws, ordinances, or resolutions to establish and operate advanced life support first response services or municipal ambulance services within the municipality or fire district when they meet or exceed all standards set by the department for appropriate training, staffing, and equipment and upon filing with the New York State Emergency Medical Services Council, a written request for such authorization. Upon filing, the municipal advanced life support first responder service or municipal ambulance service shall be deemed to have fulfilled all the requirements for a determination of public need for two years. At the conclusion of the two-year period this bill would require the Commissioner of Health to approve a subsequent application for permanent operating authority unless the municipality or fire district failed to meet the appropriate standards set by the department and/or has caused an impact on services in the surrounding region.

Summary of provisions

Subdivision 7 (b) of Section 3008 of the Public Health Law is amended by removing the requirement that a municipality or fire district apply to their requisite regional emergency medical services council for permanent operating authority at the conclusion of their initial two-year period and instead requires the Commissioner of Health to approve a subsequent application for permanent operating authority unless the municipality or fire district has failed to meet all standards set by the department for appropriate training, staffing and equipment.

Existing law

Currently, under § 3008 of the Public Health Law, municipalities, or fire districts acting on behalf of a municipality are granted a two-year presumption of need. Upon two years of operation and the expiration of the presumption, an application must be filed with a regional council for a determination of public need prior to the continued operation of a municipal advanced life support first response service or municipal ambulance service.

Justification

Municipalities that provide advanced life support first response services or municipal ambulance services have shown that their services reduce costs, increase efficiency, and generate revenue.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Local fiscal implications

Cost savings to local governments and potential generation of revenue to offset first responder services. In addition, localities currently operating advanced life support first response services or municipal ambulance services have used such service to offset large municipal tax increases under the new tax cap.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any municipality or fire district that has a temporary determination of public need, any application made by a municipality or fire district for a permanent operating certificate that is currently in the administrative appellate process or on appeal before any Court of competent jurisdiction.