Lockport City in NY to End its Ambulance Service
July 22--The City of Lockport will discontinue its ambulance service in the near future, after a joint meeting of the City of Lockport Common Council and Fire Board Tuesday.
In a statement made by Mayor Anne E. McCaffrey, she said Lockport has been one of the only municipalities in Western New York to still offer the service with paid city employees. But with the city facing serious fiscal conditions, cut backs have been needed in various departments.
In the fire department, the city's two ambulances are causing the city to incur significant repair costs, McCaffrey said, as it is anticipated that the ambulances will need to be replaced in the next two years, a cost of approximately $300,000.
The city will issue a request for qualification for a private for-profit ambulance company to perform services. McCaffrey said the RFQ will be open to any for-profit ambulance service with a certificate of need in Niagara County, so if contracted with, they can begin right away.
To the city's knowledge, there are two companies -- Twin City Ambulance and Rural Metro Medical Services -- that have a certificate of need in Niagara County. McCaffrey said they are also aware of a company in Batavia and an out-of-state ambulance service that may be qualified.
The RFQ will be at no cost to city residents. McCaffrey said this move will have Lockport join the ranks of other cities in the region -- Buffalo, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda -- who use private ambulance services.
"Private ambulance service works well in our neighboring cities and communities and we anticipate that it will work well for our residents in Lockport," she said. "The city's RFQ will require the same paramedic level of service that residents currently experience and response times that are within the national standard."
The recommendation passed in the fire board by a vote of 4 to 1. Board member Mark Provenzano voted against the recommendation. The Common Council was also in attendance to give input but did not vote on ending the ambulance service.
"It was a difficult decision to make," Pete Robinson, Fire Board president, said. "It's a decision we believe citizens will grow to understand that it was in the best interest of the city. It was tough and a lot of factors weighed in."
He said the board tried to weigh all circumstances, consider all options and take into consideration the safety of residents before making a decision.
"The board thought we did that given all the information given to us," Robinson said. "We can't sustain an ambulance service and a fire department at the same time, so we had to make a decision."
There will be no change to the city's ambulance service until a private company is found. McCaffrey said the city will set a certain day and a certain time and that would be when the new company begins and the city service will end. An estimated day is Sept. 1.
"I want to assure the public that if there is a fire at a residence or business, the community will continue to receive professional firefighting services," McCaffrey said. "If a resident has an emergency medical need that is deemed advanced life support -- our firefighters will continue to go to the call an begin CPR or first aid, after which point the ambulance company will come and transport the patient to the hospital."
Kevin Pratt, the Lockport Professional Firefighters Association president, said he can see the direction the city is going and understands why the city is seeking RFQ's from a privatized company.
He does have concerns, however, because currently three paramedics/firefighters report to the scene of a medical emergency by ambulance. If a fire emergency comes up while they are on a medical call, they are able to quickly take the patient to the hospital and head to the fire call.
Pratt said if the city follows a similar model to other municipalities in the area that use a privatize company, they will now be sending a fire truck to every medical call, tying up manpower and a truck. In the event of a fire call, at least one firefighter would have to stay with the patient until the ambulance comes, unable to report to the fire.
"You can't leave a patient," he said.
He also questioned why the city would want to give up their fourth largest line item, ambulance revenue, which he said estimates between $600,000 and $700,000 each year.
McCaffrey submitted Lockport's response to the state Comptroller's Office audit Tuesday, regarding the city's financial condition.
"The City of Lockport continues to struggle with serious cash flow problems," McCaffrey said. "So far this year, the city's cash flow problems have been worsened by unprecedented overtime costs in the fire department."
The Comptroller's Office indicated to the city fire department overtime must be addressed, the mayor said.
As this year continues, overtime costs continue to rise and as many employees use their vacation time this summer, the amount has increased further, McCaffrey said. As of the pay period that ended July 17, overtime costs in the fire department have reached $426,000. For the past two pay periods, overtime costs were $49,000 and $52,000 respectively.
"City-paid ambulance service is a luxury that the City of Lockport can no longer afford," McCaffrey said.
As for any reduction in the work force or staffing changes, McCaffrey said the city would not be addressing that at this time, as that is the next step that the city will look at.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 439-9222, ext. 6252.
Copyright 2014 - Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
