Emergency service coverage for the Village of Hammondsport and the Town of Urbana
From Steuben County,
This week, May 18th through the 24th, marks National EMS Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the life-saving work of emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and all EMS personnel across the country. With that in mind, Steuben County has opened a new EMS service in Hammondsport to better support the local community and strengthen emergency response efforts in the region.
National EMS Week, established in 1974, honors the dedication of EMS providers who serve on the front lines of emergency care. This year’s theme, “Honoring Our Past. Forging Our Future,” reflects the continued commitment to ensuring communities have access to timely, reliable emergency medical services. Steuben County’s launch of the Hammondsport EMS service is a local embodiment of that mission.
The new county EMS service is now operational in Hammondsport, and it plays a crucial role in providing reliable, around-the-clock care. It is staffed with two EMTs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will serve both the Village of Hammondsport and the Town of Urbana, including mutual aid or mutual assistance responses.
To staff the expanded service in various regions of the county, 8 full-time and 8 part-time EMTs, as well as 4 full-time and 4 part-time paramedics were recently hired, marking a significant investment in public safety and community health.
This startup effort has been the result of a collaboration over the past several years between the Hammondsport Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Steuben County. Due to a shortage of volunteers available to meet the rigorous demands of EMS work, and a desire to respect 59 years of extraordinary community support for local EMS operations, Hammondsport Ambulance graciously turned their service over to the county to help establish a streamlined and sustainable EMS model for the area.
Currently, the county is working to support emergency calls and provide supplemental assistance to local volunteer EMS agencies. This new Hammondsport-based service was approved by the Steuben County Legislature at its March 2025 meeting, paving the way for more consistent coverage in underserved parts of the county.
Because this is now a county-operated paid service, residents’ insurance carriers will receive a bill for emergency medical services provided through this system. The shift reflects both the growing demand for reliable EMS coverage and the extensive training requirements for EMTs and paramedics, who must complete hundreds of hours of education and ongoing certification — a major factor in the decline of volunteer participation.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to have reliable access to emergency medical services. For decades, Hammondsport Ambulance provided great service to their community, we are honored to extend that legacy to the area residents.” Tim Marshall, Steuben County Director of Public Safety
As Steuben County commemorates National EMS Week, this new initiative serves as a testament to the county’s commitment to public health, safety, and emergency preparedness — ensuring residents in Hammondsport and beyond receive the care they need, when they need it most.
