Buffography

We are devastated to share that Flight Paramedic Kevin Robert passed away last night, August 27th, following a sudden medical emergency. Kevin, alongside a flight nurse and pilot, were caring for a patient aboard LifeNet 7-13, based out of Ticonderoga, NY.

Our crew quickly landed at a nearby hospital while our communications center coordinated emergency resources for Kevin and our patient. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our crew, communications teams, first responders, and the hospital staff, Kevin could not be revived.

Our priority now is the well-being of our teammates and the continued support of Kevin’s family. The Ticonderoga base remains on safety stand-down as we allow our team the time and space they need to grieve.

We ask that you keep Kevin’s family, friends, and teammates in your thoughts, and join us in respecting their privacy as we all navigate this heartbreaking loss. We will forever cherish the memories Kevin leaves with us, and we will carry his memory and legacy with us on every mission.

The newest member of the Wolf Den of Heroes - Nominate someone you know. Link in comments.

Proud to report an update on the City of Poughkeepsie's dramatic improvement in safety procedures through EMS response rates. The City of Poughkeepsie and Town are now ranked #1 in the region for emergency medical response, according to the latest County EMS report for Q2 2025. The report ranked how efficiently EMS teams respond to Priority 1 (life-threatening) emergencies across seven regions. City of Poughkeepsie times decreased by a remarkable 35 seconds. In an emergency, every second counts. Thank you to responders and EMS vehicle operators who protect the safety of individuals and their families.

EMS services set to be recognized as essential in NYS EMS officials anticipate quicker response times as a result of this bill.

The first true taste of summer presented a significant challenge for the Kingston Fire Department, responding to 42 service requests over a 30-hour period from late Friday to early Sunday morning. Thirty-one of these requests were for ambulance services, with seven originating from outside the city. Fortunately, Platoon 2 had three medics on duty, staffing two ambulances and one engine. The team members demonstrated exceptional professionalism, fulfilling every request. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the members of Platoons 2 and 4 for their exemplary actions, showcasing the fire department's commitment to providing exceptional and professional service to residents. Additionally, I commend medics Mayone, Viergutz, and Widgor for their outstanding handling of the 31 ambulance requests, delivering truly exceptional performance.

Did you know that the City of Poughkeepsie's Emergency Medical Services now holds the best response rates in Dutchess County? Thanks to our new contracted provider, Empress EMS, we are better prepared to help citizens in emergency situations.

Yesterday, our Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) sprang into action on the Bear Mountain Bridge to assist Town of Highlands Police, the New York State Police, and the Westchester County Emergency Services Unit in helping a person in a mental crisis to safety.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office CNT is a specialized unit composed of deputies and correction officers trained to manage high-stress situations involving individuals in crisis. Their primary mission is to utilize effective communication strategies to peacefully resolve incidents such as hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and individuals threatening self-harm. The team is trained to engage in verbal communication to calm individuals in crisis, aiming to prevent harm to themselves or others.
The CNT operates in conjunction with other emergency response teams, including the OCSO's Special Operations Group, which handles tactical operations such as high-risk warrant executions and armed barricades. This integrated approach ensures that both negotiation and tactical strategies are employed effectively during critical incidents.

That is exactly what the team did yesterday afternoon—collaborative efforts with successful results utilizing their training. Excellent work done by all involved.