Orange County EMS captain’s credentials suspended over patient abuse allegations

New York State health officials suspended the EMS credentials of Brett Cohen for three years, effective May 6, 2026, after allegations that he neglected and assaulted a patient. Cohen served as captain of the Pine Bush Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps and also worked as a paramedic for Town of Wallkill EMS near Middletown.

The state’s Bureau of EMS Enforcement Actions treats complaints from patients, other providers, EMS agencies and the general public as grounds for disciplinary review, with possible sanctions that include civil penalties, suspension or revocation of certification. Under New York’s EMS rules, a certificate holder can be suspended or revoked if the department finds negligence or patient abuse, the same conduct cited in Cohen’s case.

A public roster for the Pine Bush Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps listed Cohen as chief of EMS and named Dan Baptista as training officer. The corps’ contact information lists 131 Center St. in Pine Bush, NY 12566, with the phone number (845) 744-5391. That makes the suspension especially significant in Pine Bush, where Cohen was not just another provider but one of the service’s senior leaders.

The Town of Shawangunk’s ambulance listing identifies Pine Bush Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps as one of the local providers serving the area, alongside Shawangunk Valley Ambulance Corps and Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps. That regional setup means any action against a senior EMS credential holder can ripple beyond one agency, especially when the provider also works in Wallkill and serves the broader Orange County ambulance network.

One report said Cohen had received the Ulster County EMS Council’s 2025 Harriet C. Weber Leadership Award, adding a sharp reputational turn to the state suspension. Cohen did not respond to a request for comment, and no public statement from Pine Bush Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Town of Wallkill EMS or county EMS leadership was included in the material available.