Richard Duvall served as the Executive Director of Northern Oswego County Ambulance (NOCA) in Pulaski, New York, from 1998 to 2008.
Now, Richard Duvall is the CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Lakeland.
Key Details:
- Role & Timeline: Richard Duvall led NOCA as Executive Director through a challenging financial period in the late 2000s, which included budget cutbacks, restructuring discussions with local town supervisors, and subsequent federal litigation (Duvall v. Northern Oswego County Ambulance, Inc. filed in October 2010 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York). [
- Subsequent Career: After leaving NOCA, Duvall held leadership roles with Carthage Area Hospital, The North Star Health Alliance, and Accord Health Advisors.
- About NOCA: Northern Oswego County Ambulance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) emergency medical service established in 1974 that provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) and transport to multiple towns and villages in the northeastern part of Oswego County from its base at 21 Delano St, Pulaski, NY 13142
Richard Duvall & NOCA Financial Restructuring
In August 2008, Northern Oswego County Ambulance (NOCA) faced a severe financial crisis, carrying approximately $500,000 in debt. To keep the vital emergency service operational across its 400-square-mile rural district, town supervisors and NOCA officials implemented an aggressive cost-cutting strategy:
- Executive Hours Cut: Richard Duvall’s role as Executive Director was reduced to just 10 hours per week, and his health insurance benefits were cleared from the budget.
- Staff Layoffs: NOCA laid off 15 part-time staff members, which constituted roughly one-third of its total workforce at the time.
- Fleet Reduction: The agency cut one active ambulance from its daily operations.
- Operational Savings: These structural cuts collectively saved the organization between $25,000 and $30,000 per month.
Federal Contract Litigation
Following these financial rollbacks and his eventual departure, Richard A. Duvall filed a federal civil lawsuit against the organization.
- Case Reference: Duvall v. Northern Oswego County Ambulance, Inc. (Case No. 5:2010-cv-01206) was filed on October 7, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York (Syracuse Office).
- Nature of the Suit: The lawsuit was designated as a contract dispute under federal cause code 29 U.S.C. § 1132, which governs the protection of employee benefit rights and the recovery of benefits due under the terms of an employment plan.
Current NOCA Leadership & Coverage
Following a complete management and structural overhaul, NOCA stabilized its finances, expanded its physical facility on Delano Street, and modernized its fleet. The agency remains the primary Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider for seven rural communities in northeastern Oswego County, including Albion, Boylston, Orwell, Redfield, Richland, Sandy Creek, and Williamstown.
The current operational leadership includes:
- Executive Director of Operations: Norman Wallis
- Assistant Director of Operations: Adam Outtrim
Alternative Oswego County Emergency Services
1. Federal Court Case Filings (Duvall v. NOCA)
The federal lawsuit Duvall v. Northern Oswego County Ambulance, Inc. (Case No. 5:2010-cv-01206) was handled in the Syracuse division of the New York Northern District Court.
- Judges Involved: The case was brought before Chief District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby and Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter.
- Legal Records Access: Because the litigation was an employment benefits dispute (“Other Contract”) under federal jurisdiction, full text dockets, motions, and the final order can be formally retrieved online via the PACER System (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) or archived summaries hosted on the Justia Dockets Platform.
2. Modern Funding & Operational Model
Unlike municipal fire departments funded entirely by local tax bases, Northern Oswego County Ambulance (NOCA) relies on a hybrid financial structure to sustain its operations:
- Program Service Revenue (73.1%): The vast majority of NOCA’s operating budget comes directly from patient billing, insurance reimbursements, and Medicare/Medicaid payments for emergency medical transports.
- Municipal Allocations & Contributions (22.9%): The seven northern towns served (including Richland, Sandy Creek, and Albion) provide proportional tax subsidies through service contracts to ensure emergency infrastructure remains in place.
- Supplemental Grants: The agency frequently applies for public health support. For instance, the Oswego County Legislature recently awarded NOCA $139,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to upgrade its operational fleet with advanced cardiac monitors and portable ventilators.
3. Oswego County Governance & Contacts
Town supervisors evaluate these service allocations annually. If you need to contact local officials regarding municipal ambulance spending or contracts in NOCA’s primary coverage zones, you can query their district offices directly:
- Town of Richland (Includes Pulaski): The Town of Richland Clerk’s Office manages local emergency contract paperwork.
- Oswego County EMS Coordinator: For broad regional emergency planning inquiries, contact the Oswego County Emergency Management Office