Department of Health

Oversight of Emergency Medical Services Training and Program Improvement

Emergency medical services (EMS) in New York State are provided by local ambulance services and other providers overseen by the Department of Health. To be certified by the Department, individuals providing emergency medical services must meet certain training requirements. We examined the Department’s oversight of the training and certification process. We found that, because of certain control weaknesses, individuals may be certified without meeting all the training requirements. We recommended the Department more closely monitor the training process and verify the training that is claimed. We also examined the performance of regional organizations contracted by the Department to provide support services to EMS providers. We found the contractors did not always provide the expected services and did not always adequately account for their use of State funds.

For a complete copy of Report 2002-S-30 click here.