Mohegan EMS chief named EMS Leader of the Year

Lifesaving work is happening in Yorktown thanks to local emergency responders.

The Westchester Regional EMS Council honored emergency medical services professionals from across the county during its annual awards ceremony held downcounty Tuesday at Westchester Community College.

The event recognizes EMS providers for their lifesaving work in the field and is held once a year. County Executive Ken Jenkins, Vedat Gashi, a Yorktown resident and chairman of the County Board of Legislators, and Department of Emergency Services Commissioner Susan Spear attended the ceremony.

Among those recognized were recipients of the council’s Life Save Awards, given to providers involved in significant emergency responses.

Lirije Mustafaj was named Paramedic of the Year for Westchester. She works for Cortlandt Peekskill Regional Paramedics, Empress EMS and volunteers with both the Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Mohegan Emergency Medical Services.

“I’m honored and grateful to receive this recognition. EMS is built on teamwork and service, and I’m fortunate to work alongside incredible providers who are committed to caring for our community every day,” Mustafaj said of the honor. “This award reflects not only my work, but also the support of the mentors, partners, and crews I’ve learned from throughout my career.”

Matthew Kness, chief of Mohegan EMS, was named EMS Leader of the Year for Westchester.

"I am humbled to be recognized by the Westchester Regional EMS Council as the 2025 EMS Leader of the Year,” he said in an email to Yorktown News. “This award reflects the dedication and commitment of the members of Mohegan EMS, who work tirelessly day in and day out, sacrificing time with their families to respond to emergencies in our community.”

For decades, Mohegan EMS and YVAC have operated as volunteer-based agencies supplemented by paid staff, albeit with uneven municipal support. But leaders have warned the current model is nearing a tipping point, leaving the organizations strained to meet demand amid rising costs and surging call volumes.

In response, elected officials, emergency responders and county officials met March 30 at Cortlandt Town Hall for a roundtable discussion on the future of emergency medical services. Participants included officials from Yorktown and Cortlandt; Mohegan EMS, with Chief Matthew Kness representing alongside a board member; and YVAC Chief Rick Davin, each joined by a board member. Also in attendance were representatives from Peekskill EMS, Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Westchester County’s Department of Emergency Services. A second meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the John C. Hart Memorial Library and is open to the public.

“At a time when EMS is often underrepresented, underfunded, and overlooked, I hope recognitions like this help highlight the caliber of care and professionalism our agencies provide every single day, without tax-based funding,” Kness said. “EMS is an essential service, and it deserves to be recognized and supported at the state, county, and local levels. It is my mission to continue advocating for that recognition and for the future of our profession."