By Brian Hubert
Daily Freeman
RHINEBECK, N.Y. — Westchester County-based Empress Ambulance Service, which serves wide swaths of Ulster County, announced Wednesday that it has purchased Rhinebeck-based Northern Dutchess Paramedics.
Empress, which has headquarters in Yonkers and locally in Poughkeepsie, pledged it will work with the Northern Dutchess Paramedics teams to “ensure seamless continuity of care for the patients and communities they serve.”
| INFOGRAPHIC: Understanding normal and abnormal capnography waveforms
“We are excited to have the opportunity to invest in the people, resources, and systems that keep our communities safe,” Michael Minerva, Sr., president of Empress EMS, said in a press release. “This step underscores our belief that strong EMS systems are built by supporting the professionals who deliver care every day and reflects our long-standing commitment to the region. By working together, we will expand capabilities, improve systems, and continue delivering the high-quality care residents and healthcare partners deserve.”
The release noted that Northern Dutchess Paramedics, founded in 1994, has more than 30 years of experience delivering emergency and non-emergency medical transportation in the region. The firm serves Northern Dutchess County, the town of Livingston in Columbia County and Litchfield County in Connecticut.
“After many years of operating independently, we felt it was the right moment to partner with an organization that shares our values,” Edward Murphy, founder and CEO of Northern Dutchess Paramedics, said in the release. “Empress’s commitment to its employees, patients, and communities made them the clear choice. We are excited about what this partnership means for strengthening EMS in our region.”
Empress, founded in 1984, is part of PatientCare EMS Solutions.
In May 2024, Northern Dutchess Paramedics announced it had applied with the state Department of Health for a “certificate of need” to serve Ulster County to provide both and basic and advanced life support. The firm said at the time that it planned to do everything from assisting volunteer squads to potentially contracting with towns for ambulance service. Northern Dutchess Paramedics said it employed 150 people at the time.
Continued expansion
Wednesday’s announcement continues Empress’ expansion across the Mid-Hudson Valley over the past few years. The firm already serves large portions of Ulster County after it acquired the financially struggling EMS provider Mobile Life Support Services in June 2023.
After years of operating under a verbal agreement, Empress was hired to cover the towns of Ulster and Kingston beginning March 1 at a cost of $1.28 million for the remainder of 2025.
A proposed agreement with Empress lasting through 2028 would see the town pay $1.3 million in 2026, $1.34 million in 2027, and $1.38 million in 2028 for Empress to serve the two towns.
Empress formerly served the city of Kingston until the city took over ambulance service under the auspices of the Kingston Fire Department on Jan. 1, 2024.
Empress’ acquisition of Northern Dutchess Paramedics comes just weeks after both Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger and Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino announced they are pressuring federal officials to provide the counties federal funding for EMS services. Lawmakers in both counties have already committed millions in funding this year to sustain and enhance EMS services.
© 2025 Daily Freeman, Kingston, N.Y..
Visit www.dailyfreeman.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
