Rockland Paramedic Services

This week is National CPR & AED Awareness Week (June 1–7).

Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital in the United States and tragically, 90% are fatal. CPR, especially when performed immediately, can double or even triple a person's chance of survival.

The problem? Less than half of people who go into cardiac arrest in public receive CPR before help arrives and studies show that 65% of people would hesitate to step in during a medical emergency, often because they're not sure what to do. That's exactly why awareness matters. Knowing CPR doesn't require a medical degree. It requires preparation and the willingness to act.

This week, we're encouraging every Rockland County resident to consider getting trained because in an emergency, you may be the most important person in the room. Make this summer as safe as it is fun. Visit heart.org/nation to find CPR training resources near you.

Strong communities are prepared communities.

Did you know our RPS vehicles have evolved quite a bit over the past few years? Here is a side-by-side of what our vehicles used to look like and what they look like today!

Medic 5, Nyack Community Ambulance Corps, and Central Nyack Fire Department responded yesterday to a 2 car collision on Rt. 59 In Central Nyack. Patient had heavy entrapment requiring prolonged extrication. Central Nyack firefighters extricated the patient, and Medic 5 and Nyack Community Ambulance transported the patient to Westchester Medical Center for Trauma care. Great collaborative effort by all!

On Memorial Day we honor our brave Men and Women from our Rockland County community and beyond who have died in service to our country. We remember you today and always.

On Friday RPS had the honor of participating in a large multi-jurisdictional response in support of President Trump’s visit to Rockland County. This was our second presidential event, the first being March 28, 1996 for President Clinton’s visit to the IBM’s Palisades Executive Conference Center for the second National Education Summit. During that event we supported both on-site operations as well as the presidential motorcade.

On Friday we deployed 6 paramedics and our tactical physician in multiple roles. Our tactical physician along with 2 TMSU paramedics was in the presidential motorcade assigned to protecting President Trump. We had two paramedics inside the field house for the event, and two additional paramedics outside on the RCC campus for incidents outside the building.

During this large event we collaborated with our EMS partners from William P. Faist Volunteer Ambulance Corp., Stony Point Ambulance Corp.,Spring Hill Community Ambulance, the ED Medical Director from Good Samaritan Hospital, as well as our Rockland County EMS Coordinators. We are grateful for the professionalism of all of our paramedics and partners, and honored to have had the opportunity to participate in this historic event.

Today marks the final day of EMS Week 2026 and there is no more fitting way to close it than with EMS Remembrance Day.

This day is set aside to honor the emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty, to recognize the ultimate sacrifice they made for their communities, and to keep their families and loved ones in our hearts.

On Tuesday, members of the Rockland Paramedics family traveled to Albany to attend the 2026 NYS EMS Memorial Dedication Ceremony at Empire State Plaza and to stand in honor of those who can no longer stand with us.

Nine new names were added to the wall, bringing the total to 139 EMS providers from across New York State who gave their lives in service to others. This year, the memorial wall itself was expanded to make room for more names. That fact alone says everything.

Many of this year's additions lost their lives to illnesses directly connected to their response on September 11, 2001. This serves as a reminder that the sacrifice of that day is still being paid, 25 years later, and that the toll of service does not always end when the shift does.
To every name on that wall, and to the families, friends, and colleagues they left behind, you are not forgotten. Not today, not ever.

The Rockland contingent was proud to be present to honor them. 💙

"They gave their today for our tomorrow."

EMS Recognition Day is the theme for Day 6 of EMS Week.

Today, we honor members of the EMS community who regularly go above and beyond what’s expected. We want to use today to say a big thank you to everyone in our EMS family who shows up for the Rockland County community every day. You are our heroes and we appreciate everything you do to keep Rockland safe.

Show some love for our EMS team in the comments below!

Smash House Burgers isn't done showing up for Rockland's finest. 🙌

We had to come back and give them another shoutout for taking care of not one, but multiple RPS crews this EMS Week. Pictured here are two more of our paramedics picking up a well-deserved meal on the job.

To a restaurant that truly walks the walk when it comes to supporting first responders — thank you. Rockland is lucky to have you. 💙

Day 5 of EMS Week: Save-a-Life Day 🩸

Donating blood is one of the simplest ways to make a life-saving difference.

Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

Rockland County has several upcoming blood drives, find one that works for you and consider giving.

To learn more about your impact and find other blood donation centers near you head to https://www.nybc.org/donate-blood/

RPS Education Day was a success! 🎓

Yesterday we brought together over 70 EMS professionals in person at RPS Headquarters in New City and virtually via Zoom for a full day of physician-led Continuing Medical Education.

Six hours of expert-led sessions covered some of the most critical topics in prehospital care today, including Pediatric Cardiac Arrest, Trauma Updates, Regional Protocols, Patient Presentations, Geriatric Trauma, and STEMI Recognition.

A huge thank you to our incredible presenters who gave their time and expertise to invest in the growth of our providers:

👏 Dr. Greenhut
👏 Dr. Akkapeddi
👏 Dr. Harris
👏 Dr. Bulaevsky
👏 Stephanie Lee, PA

We never stop learning at Rockland Paramedics. The knowledge our providers gain directly impacts the care Rockland County receives and days like this are a reminder of why that investment matters.

Thank you to everyone who attended in person and virtually. 💙