Greetings,
Please see the notice below from the Division of State EMS regarding possible mobilization. Agency leaders please take the time to complete the survey at your earliest convenience.
Background
January 2, 2026, affected hospitals were notified of a potential workforce disruption beginning January 12, 2026.
At this time, hospitals in New York City have indicated that operational impacts are possible during this period. Concurrently, hospitals across the region are experiencing seasonally high levels of influenza-like illness admissions, which may further strain emergency department capacity and inpatient census.
Collectively, these conditions may result in increased emergency department wait times, elevated hospital census levels, and workforce constraints. There may also be an increased need to actively manage patient distribution, load-balance hospital capacity, and decompress affected emergency departments.
In anticipation of these potential impacts, the Division of State EMS, Bureau of Emergency Management, is conducting a survey to assess the availability of EMS agencies to deploy ambulance resources into potentially affected areas of New York City.
Deployment Status
This survey is for planning and situational awareness purposes only and does not constitute a deployment order or authorization.
Agencies selected for deployment will be contacted directly by the Division of State Emergency Medical Services, Bureau of Emergency Management. Deployment will occur only upon direct notification and issuance of a State Mission Assignment.
Instructions for Survey Response: 2026 New York City State Mobilization Plan Survey | Survey Builder
The survey will close, and responses will be reviewed, at 19:00 hours on 01/11/2026.
All agencies receiving this survey are requested to respond, regardless of their ability to deploy resources.
EMS agencies that are based in the five boroughs of New York City, or that conduct operations within the five boroughs using New York City-based resources, are not eligible to deploy in response to this request.
Agencies that operate in New York City but also maintain physical locations and personnel outside the five boroughs may respond, provided that any deployment utilizes only staff and resources based outside New York City.
Sincerely,
Stephen Brucato
Bureau Chief | Bureau of EMS Emergency Management
Intelligence Liaison Officer
Division of State Emergency Medical Services
New York State Department of Health
800 N. Pearl Street, Menands, NY 12204
Office (518) 402-0065 | Cell (518) 937-7137
https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ems/emswmd.htm
We’re growing to better serve New York’s EMS community.
As the Division of State EMS expands, you’ll notice updated titles and unit names that better reflect our structure and future direction.
Our team members continue to perform the same vital work with the same commitment to the EMS community.
If you are looking for additional information related to the changes, please visit the State EMS website at health.ny.gov/ems/