Catholic Health Launches In-House Ambulance Fleet Providing Seamless Patient Care Across Long Island

Catholic Health today announced the launch of CHS Ambulance Service, its new in-house Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system.

Comprised of 28 ambulances and a dedicated team of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics and emergency dispatchers, CHS Ambulance Service enables Catholic Health to take direct management of patient transport across its system—reducing delays, strengthening coordination between care settings, and ensuring patients receive timely care wherever it is needed.

To create the new service, Catholic Health acquired Emergency Ambulance Service, a private EMS provider based on Long Island. Now operating as CHS Ambulance Service, Catholic Health’s own ambulance fleet provides transport and essential life support services across Long Island and Queens.

Supported by a comprehensive 24/7 operations and dispatch hub, this model allows Catholic Health clinicians to stay focused on delivering exceptional patient care and ensures that our communities have access to exceptional emergency care for years to come.

“As part of our ongoing expansion across Long Island, we’re proud to introduce Catholic Health’s EMS system,” said Patrick O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA, president and CEO at Catholic Health. “With CHS Ambulance Service, we’re strengthening care coordination and improving the experience for both patients and providers through a more seamless, integrated transportation system.”

CHS Ambulance Service also reduces the burden on clinical teams by minimizing reliance third-party providers for patient transport between key points of care.

“The launch of CHS Ambulance Service marks an important step forward in our mission to strengthen the health care ecosystem across Long Island,” said Gary Havican, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Catholic Health. “Our in-house EMS team brings expert clinical care directly to patients at their greatest time of need, while also managing critical care transport across our system.”

CHS Ambulance Service is overseen by Kevin Ferrarotti, FACHE, vice president of emergency medical services and pre-hospital logistics at Catholic Health, and Joseph Zito, MD, EMS medical director at Catholic Health.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance the care experience for our patients and providers,” said Mr. Ferrarotti. “We are proud to help usher in a service that will optimize operational workflow and transform care delivery during some of the most critical moments.”

CHS Ambulance Service is also partnering with local universities, including Suffolk County Community College, to allow EMT and paramedic students to train alongside experienced EMS providers, with the opportunity to join Catholic Health full time after graduation.

In the event of a medical emergency, the Catholic Health EMS Dispatch and Operations Center can be reached at (516/631) 465-6700. Upon calling, the fastest resource will be immediately dispatched to transport patients to the most appropriate emergency department.