Town of Tonawanda Scales Back Ambulance Plans, Signs New Deal

URGENT UPDATE: The Town of Tonawanda has just reversed its plans to establish an independent ambulance service, opting instead for a renewed contract with Twin City Ambulance. On Monday, officials voted to extend their agreement for two more years, a significant shift from the ambitious service overhaul proposed just last October.

Town Supervisor Joe Emminger acknowledged the complexities involved in launching a new service, stating, “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.” His comments highlight the challenges faced by the town in navigating regulatory hurdles at the state level, which contributed to the decision to scale back.

Originally, the town aimed to hire 20 EMTs for its own service, but Emminger revealed they struggled to attract enough applicants, receiving fewer than expected. The revised plan will see Twin City Ambulance maintain its around-the-clock services while the town introduces one of its own ambulances, staffed by just four EMTs. Emminger hopes to have these EMTs operational by the end of the year.

Despite the reduced scope, the town will retain two of the three ambulances it initially purchased, with plans to sell or lease the remaining vehicles to other municipalities. Emminger assured residents that this decision will not impose any financial burden on taxpayers, emphasizing, “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.”

The new agreement with Twin City Ambulance is set to last until October 2027, providing a stable emergency response framework while the town cautiously moves forward. As the situation develops, residents are urged to stay informed about any updates regarding local emergency services.

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