By William J. Kemble
Daily Freeman
HURLEY, N.Y. — Town Board members expect to start with $450,000 for a townwide ambulance district and the operations of a basic life support system.
The update was provided Tuesday during a public hearing that attracted 10 speakers from an audience of about 40 people.
“This is for a paid ambulance service,” Councilwoman Debbie Dougherty said.
“Right now, we are all supported by volunteers,” she said. “In this day and age, it’s harder and harder for people to have the time … and there’s just as many, if not more, calls coming out.”
Support for the district has included representatives from both current basic life support squads with the Hurley and West Hurley fire companies.
“The fire districts are going to sell (or) give those ambulances to the town,” Dougherty said. “So, we’re going to start with … two fully stocked ambulances, which is a huge advantage for us.”
Resident Bill Tweeddale said the town should consider participating in agreements with other municipalities for services.
“We need emergency medical services but I don’t think the town of Hurley has enough volume to justify a private ambulance service,” he said. “I would like to see the town engage with … various municipalities (that are) close by.”
An Ulster County report earlier this year reported that in 2022 the Hurley Fire Department was available for 155 of 236 calls and West Hurley Fire Department was available for 188 of 273 calls.
Hurley officials have been in discussions with the towns of Ulster, Rosendale, and Kingston for joint advanced life support coverage. Officials have not moved forward in how that service would work with existing basic life support systems.
Some speakers were concerned about the location of an ambulance station if the town enters an agreement for joint service.
“I don’t want an ambulance based in Ulster,” resident Bob Longendyke said. “I want an ambulance based in Hurley. I’ve called (an) ambulance for myself, I’ve called it for my family members, and Hurley has always turned out for us.”
Hurley Fire Department Chief Joseph Decker said establishing a townwide district is necessary.
“This has been an ongoing issue for quite a few years,” he said. “We’ve been limping along, trying to kick that can down the road a little bit. … We were having the same issues back 30 years ago getting a paid service into Hurley to go and support our fire department.”
Board members set an Oct. 8 deadline for written comments, accepted at the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town Hall , 10 Wamsley Place ; mailed to the Town Clerk at P.O. Box 569, Hurley, NY 12443; or emailed to clerk@townofhurley.org.
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