Ti EMS going strong year into ambulance district

TICONDEROGA | For Ticonderoga EMS, gone are the days of dropping 250 calls a year due to insufficient staffing and limited availability of volunteers. With the Town of Ticonderoga Ambulance Tax District firmly in place and Ti EMS being the contracted agency, the squad is optimistic that the level of quality service it provides will never again falter. "We had one of the highest volume of agency call drops," revealed Ti EMS Operations Manager Renee Kennedy. "Now it's been three or four years since we have had a dropped call." When the ambulance tax district officially (and finally) took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, residents breathed a sigh of relief. Kennedy breathed perhaps the biggest sigh of relief of all. She had advocated and tirelessly crusaded for the five years prior for the creation of the district, recognizing it would ultimately be an absolute necessity, and soon. "I'm going on 32 years of being with the EMS," Kennedy said. "I wasn't going down without a fight." Ti EMS had serviced the community since 1949, but with the agency running out of money and barely breaking even, compounded with rising costs and low volunteer numbers, the death of Ti EMS was certain unless the Town intervened. Then Town Supervisor Mark Wright and his council got the job done and created a district right under the gun, and a year and three months later, the agency is optimistic about its future. Ti EMS services Ticonderoga with contracts also between Crown Point and Putnam. The current contracted agreement between the Town and Ti EMS will last through Dec. 31, 2029, with an opportunity to renew after that five-year period. In the first year of the district, Ti EMS responded to 1,157 calls for service across Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Putnam, as well as providing mutual aid to neighboring communities. That number was up from 2024, with Kennedy and Ti EMS President Mark Barber citing several factors contributing to the increase- calls in Crown Point were up, and there were more people in town for local tourist events during the warmer months. "Members collectively contribute 2,872 volunteer hours, demonstrating an extraordinary level of dedication to serving our region," Barber added. Ti EMS currently boasts 20 volunteers and seven full-time employees, though Kennedy predicts that in less than ten years that will move to all paid staff. A sign of the times, volunteering for EMS, much like with the fire department, just isn't a realistic option for much of anyone anymore. "With the call volume we have, there is a need for EMS obviously, the state changed the requirement for training; it's impossible to do this as a volunteer anymore," Barber said, explaining that the time required to perform training and maintain all the agency requirements and certifications is simply too intensive for people with other full-time employment. Currently, residents pay 49 cents per thousand towards the district. Ti EMS did not request an increase for 2026, but New York State has thrown a few curveballs in the direction of EMS agencies (which for some reason the State does not consider "Essential"), and that leaves Ti EMS uncertain about the concrete financial implications. Nothing could ever be easy, could it? "Essex County has been providing staff to us for the past few years," Barber explained. "We pay the salary and the County pays for the benefits, but that system is dissolving at the end of this year." That means Ti EMS will have to absorb county employees as their own, which will create the challenge of offering competitive benefits. "We have to match health insurance and retirement and paid time off," Barber said. "It sounds like tentatively the county will provide funding to the Town to help offset some of that; the level of service we provide determines the level of funds the county will provide to the Town." Kennedy approximates that the agency will need at least an additional $200,000 for benefits and retirement for their full-time staff, which may lead to an increase in what taxpayers would have to contribute to the district. "Like most places, our biggest expense is payroll and benefits," Barber said. In his Year-End Report, Barber expressed that 2025 marked a period of significant progress and growth for the organization, with several major accomplishments that further strengthened their ability to serve the community. One highlight was the purchase of a new ambulance (a cool $300,000 unequipped). That brings the agency's total to two, which as of right now Kennedy said is sufficient, but looking to the future and the fact that some days there are multiple calls going, another crew may be added. The ambulance was purchased thanks to assistance from a critical letter fund drive, in which residents generously contributed. "We know people are already paying with the tax district, however, donations are a part of our budget so we have no choice but to do a funddrive or funding request," Barber explained, adding that the agency will continue to do more fund drives for major equipment purchases. "Fundraising money will get put into its own account for cardiac monitors, new stretchers, things like that nature," shared Barber. "We will have a capital fund for that specifically so we can continue to replace equipment." According to Kennedy, this May New York State will also be requiring more equipment to be on the ambulances, but Ti EMS has no idea what that will entail as of yet. But one thing is for certain, it will mean more capital is needed. "With these requirements, the companies take advantage of that situation cost-wise," Barber said. "A lot of times, especially for EMS, there are only so many places that provide these pieces of equipment. If you only have two vendors, they have total control because you are required to take the equipment. Those are the types of things we are up against." Fundraising for Ti EMS is also so crucial because billing for services is not as lucrative- or reliable- as one may think. "Our funding is comprised of billing insurance companies, the district, contracts, and donations," Barber said. "There is no way to fund the agency with billings alone. With the insurance reimbursement rates, we are lucky if we see half of what we will out come back." Kennedy said the rules of the game will be changing again with Medicaid and Medicare. "A new law came out that we can only bill for so much," she revealed. "If there is a balance left, you cannot bill the patient; we would have to write it off as an expense. That will affect how much the agency will bring in from billing." In spite of the challenges that will present themselves sooner rather than later, both Barber and Kennedy believe things for their beloved organization are on the right track. Ti EMS will be making a concerted effort to continue to connect with and engage younger people for sustainability, introducing and attracting them to the profession through multiple avenues. "Hopefully, we can recruit and retain some younger people," Barber said. "High school students can join our junior program at age 16." Kennedy added that the agency will be visiting schools for training and also hosting an Open House during EMS Week in May. The Dan Padula Scholarship, offered by Ti EMS since 2001, has been freshly revamped. $1,000 will be awarded to a graduating high school senior pursuing a degree in any type of medical field, be in EMS, nursing, radiology, whatever it may be. This year's recipient will be selected during EMS Week. "As we enter 2026, we do so with a strong foundation and a bold set of goals aimed at further strengthening our service and organizational ability," assured Barber. "We remain committed to continuous improvement and to meeting the evolving needs of the communities we serve." Visit Ti EMS's new website, www.ticonderogaems.org, where residents can apply for membership, make online donations, and easily connect with the organization.

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Ti EMS going strong year into ambulance district

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