What is the New Paltz Rescue Squad?

The New Paltz Rescue Squad is your local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider who, through contracts with the Town and Village of New Paltz, offers 24 hour Emergency Care and Transportation of sick and injured persons. As an Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider since October 1987, the Rescue Squad provides Paramedic level care. Currently, the Rescue Squad operates three ambulances, one auto extrication rescue vehicle and one emergency service vehicle (fly car). In 1973, we started service with one van-style ambulance. Our primary geographic operating area includes the Village and Town of New Paltz, the State University of New York at New Paltz, and a 10-mile section of the New York State Thruway. The Rescue Squad began as an all-volunteer organization, remaining so until September 1996. Today, the Rescue Squad employs a full-time Chief / Paramedic and a full-time Paramedic to cover daytime hours.

Membership in the Rescue Squad

Membership in the Rescue Squad consists of two categories: active and associate. Active status members are those who ride the ambulance and answer the calls for emergency service. Active membership is for those wanting to have direct patient contact on emergency calls, either driving the ambulance or performing patient care. Associate members provide support services to the Rescue Squad in a variety of methods; however, they do not ride the ambulance.

Membership is open to any person 18 years of age or older. We are always recruiting and accepting new members. Certifications are not required for those members over the age of 21 provided they have a valid driver's license that is relatively clear of infractions. The Rescue Squad encourages members to obtain EMS training certificates. The Squad can help you find a local EMS course. Those with current certifications are encouraged to join.

If you are interested in joining our organization please call
(845) 255-1719 or visit our website at www.newpaltzrescue.org.

Operating Funds

At the inception of the New Paltz Rescue Squad funds were received primarily through charitable contributions. Later, the Rescue Squad also received funds from the Town of New Paltz through a contract to provide EMS.

Today, the New Paltz Rescue Squad, operates on funds collected through our Revenue Recovery program. Patients who are transported to medical facilities are billed for ambulance service. Additionally, the town and village of New Paltz provides us with financial assistance, SUNY New Paltz provides us with fuel for our vehicles. The Squad also receives charitable donations and bequests from residents, which significantly improves the financial stability of the organization.

Our revenue recovery program allows us to collect revenue from those who use the service. This reduces the tax burden on New Paltz residents as non-residents also pay for using the ambulance. This allows us to bill those who would not directly contribute to the tax base, such as visitors, people traveling through the area, and college students who are not residents.

Stand-by Coverage

The Rescue Squad offers stand-by coverage with ambulance crews for events, such as graduation, bicycle and foot races, the Ulster County Fair, opening day events for the New Paltz Baseball Association, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and other events where there is a mass gathering of people.

In order to provide these services, we need a two to three week notice. If you require this service please contact us at our business phone (845) 255-1719.

Public Education Program

The New Paltz Rescue Squad provides a public education program to the residents and businesses of New Paltz. If you are interested, we will be glad to come to your organization. We provide this program free to community members of all ages from day care to senior citizens. Please contact us at our business phone (845) 255-1719 for further information.