Essex County EMS plan would use short-term rental tax revenue to reimburse towns and fund ALS

By Grace McIntyre

The Press-Republican

ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. — Essex County is planning to use revenue from the new short-term rental sales tax to enact a plan aimed to “stabilize” emergency medical services across the county.

The concept, which is not finalized but was approved as a draft concept by the county board of supervisors in August, shifts away from county-level staffing and instead incentivizes towns to strengthen and invest in their own EMS programs.

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The resolution passed last month cited an “urgent and escalating crisis” facing EMS services, caused by factors such as an aging volunteer base, higher training requirements, financial strain on local government and limited availability of advanced life