Emergency Medical Services should be considered an essential service and receive as much, if not more, funding than local fire departments and police forces.  EMS is taken for granted by so many New Yorkers, who do not realize that the nearest agency may be miles and minutes away, staffed by volunteers who may or may not be available, and with gear that may be older than their children.  In cases of severe medical emergencies, it is a proven fact that quick interventions by highly trained medical providers save lives.  However, maintaining this system is costly and most municipal and not-for-profit agencies suffer from severe underfunding.  If this bill is passed it will drastically improve the ability of towns to provide vital medical services to all communities.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S2770