Emergency Medical Services and Fire Protection Providers

Industry Team

Harris Beach attorneys represent national and international emergency services companies who provide EMS and ambulance services to major municipalities across New York state, and fire departments and fire districts. As EMTs, volunteer firefighters, and fire service instructors themselves, our attorneys are familiar with the specific needs of those performing these valuable community services.

For our EMS and ambulance service providers, we offer counsel and assistance in the following areas:

• Transfer of Ambulance Service Operations
• Application to Regional Emergency Medical Service Councils (REMSCO)
• Negotiation and Drafting of Contracts with Municipalities
• Certificate of Need (CON) Applications and Renewals
• Bylaws and other Corporate Matters, including Tax-Exempt Status
• Medicare and Medicaid Billing Compliance and Inter-Agency Service Agreements
• Related General Counsel Services
• Department of Health and Public Health Law Compliance, including:
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Provider Training
  • Certification Issues
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • Ambulance District Formation

In the area of fire service, we counsel and assist our clients on fire district and fire department operations, including:

• Apparatus and Equipment Acquisition and Financing
• Corporate Matters, including Tax-Exempt Status
• Development and Review of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines
• Fire Department Bylaws
• Fire District Bond Issues and other Municipal Financing
• Fire District Creation
• Firehouse Construction, Renovation and Financing
• Negotiation of Fire and EMS Contracts between Municipalities and Fire Departments
• Personnel and Membership Issues
• Potential and Actual Liability
• Training and Response Issues

Harris Beach provides in-depth training and education services, including seminars and operational compliance programs such as:

• Disciplinary Proceedings
• EMS Provider Liability
• Fire Training Standards Under OSHA/PESH
• Motor Vehicle and Apparatus Response Guidelines and Liability Avoidance
• Personnel Guidelines
• Substance Abuse Policies
• Youth Program Development, Implementation and Management
• Workplace and Sexual Harassment Policies, Guidelines and Awareness

Harris Beach also represents EMS and ambulance service providers, fire districts, and fire departments in labor relations areas including:

• Civil Service Law Issues
• General Employee Issue Training such as Discrimination and Social/Electronic Media Policies
• GML 207-a Disability Claims
• Handling Unfair and Improper Labor Practice Charges for Employers
• Negotiating Union Contracts and Counseling Clients Regarding Contract Administration and Grievance/Arbitration Matters
• Representing Employers in Union Organizing Drives
• Reviewing Employee Handbooks and Personnel Documents
• Union Prevention Training