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Kingston's city-run ambulance service is performing well after its first year, according to Mayor Steven Noble. The service, which the city took over from private provider Empress EMS at the beginning of 2024, has exceeded financial expectations and improved response times significantly.
City Comptroller John Tuey reported that the ambulance service's revenues from billing private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid are expected to surpass the $1.5 million initially budgeted for 2025, potentially reaching $1.9 million by year-end. Tuey expressed cautious optimism, noting that despite financial pressures from overtime, the costs remain favorable compared to contracting out to a private provider, and the city receives higher quality service as a result.
The transition to a city-run service has also been praised for reducing response times. Previously, Empress EMS, which now covers the towns of Ulster and Kingston, had issues with long wait times. However, the city-run service has improved efficiency, cutting response times nearly in half. This improvement has been welcomed by local officials and residents alike.
Looking ahead, the city aims to continue optimizing the service, with expectations that revenues could reach $2 million in 2026. The success of the service underscores the city's commitment to providing efficient and reliable emergency medical services to its residents.