Tonawanda Scales Back Ambulance Plans, Signs Two-Year Deal

BREAKING: The Town of Tonawanda has officially scaled back its ambitious plans to create its own ambulance service. In a crucial vote on Monday, officials opted for a new two-year contract with Twin City Ambulance, the current emergency service provider.

Just last October, the town was poised to replace Twin City Ambulance due to rising concerns about response times. However, Town Supervisor Joe Emminger revealed that the complexity of launching an independent service was far greater than anticipated. “I originally thought it’d be the beginning part of 2025, then it became the middle of 2025, and then I just said sometime in 2025,” Emminger stated.

Multiple challenges arose, particularly around regulatory approvals and staffing issues. Emminger noted, “It became more problematic dealing with the regulatory agencies at the state level. Getting approvals takes time.” Initially, the town aimed to hire 20 EMTs but fell short, receiving insufficient applications for the positions.

The newly signed agreement ensures that Twin City will continue to provide 24/7 emergency services. However, the town will also deploy one of its own ambulances, staffed by just four EMTs, in a bid to enhance local service capabilities.

The town had purchased three ambulances and planned to acquire another, but it will now retain only two. Emminger confirmed that the surplus vehicles will not be wasted, as “other municipalities have reached out to us and we’re going to be selling those other two ambulances or they will at least be leased by the end of the year.”

Emminger emphasized that this revised plan will not impose a financial burden on taxpayers, calling it a “win-win situation.” He added, “This isn’t the plan I had envisioned last October but I think it’s a plan that really does serve the town of Tonawanda.”

Looking ahead, Emminger hopes to have the four EMTs operational by the end of the year, with the new agreement remaining in effect until October 2027.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops, and how it will affect emergency response in the Town of Tonawanda.