Speaker Heastie Announces $1.1 Million for Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services on Annual Statewide Tour

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Rotterdam, joining Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara to announce $1.1 million in state funding for Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (REMS) and to announce REMS Executive Director Dean Romano’s appointment to the Rural Ambulance Task Force.

“First responders literally save lives in our communities everyday,” Speaker Heastie said. “I’m happy to be here today with Assemblymember Santabarbara to announce this funding that will help REMS get the ambulances and upgrades they need to continue doing their lifesaving work. And I know that Dean Romano will be an asset to the Rural Ambulance Task Force.”

“REMS is an invaluable part of our community here in Rotterdam, and this funding will help them make needed improvements to their facilities and purchase a new ambulance for their fleet,” Assemblymember Santabarbara said. “Thank you to Speaker Heastie for being here and making these critical investments in our first responders. As executive director, Dean knows the intricacies of running a rural EMS, and he will be a great addition to the state’s Rural Ambulance Task Force.”

In 2021, Assemblymember Santabarbara sponsored legislation establishing the New York State Rural Ambulance Task Force to improve the quality and availability of ambulance services in rural areas. Earlier this year, he recommended executive director of REMS, Dean Romano, to the task force, and today Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Santabarbara officially announced his appointment during their tour of REMS.

REMS is a not-for-profit that provides advanced life support ambulance services to more than 29,000 residents of Rotterdam. The funding announced will help them purchase three new ambulances and update the main station.