Tonawanda Scales Back Ambulance Plans, Signs New Contract Today

UPDATE: The Town of Tonawanda has just announced a significant change to its emergency response strategy, opting to scale back its plans for an independent ambulance service. In a vote on Monday, town officials confirmed a new two-year contract with Twin City Ambulance, the existing provider of emergency services for the area.

This decision marks a dramatic shift from last October, when officials were determined to replace Twin City Ambulance due to resident concerns over response times. Town Supervisor Joe Emminger admitted that the complexities of launching a new service were far greater than he 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,” he stated.

Emminger cited multiple challenges, particularly with regulatory approvals at the state level, which contributed to the decision to abandon the original plan. The town had initially aimed to hire 20 EMTs but fell short, receiving fewer than necessary applications for the positions.

Under the new agreement, Twin City Ambulance will continue providing services around the clock. The town will deploy one of its own ambulances and plans to hire just four EMTs to staff it. Emminger emphasized that the town will not be financially burdened by this new arrangement, stating, “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 town had purchased three ambulances for its original plan, but will retain only two. Emminger confirmed that they plan to sell or lease the additional ambulances to other municipalities by the end of the year.

Emminger expressed gratitude for Twin City Ambulance’s ongoing partnership, adding that he hopes to have the four EMTs operational by the end of the year. The new contract is set to remain in effect until October 2027.

Residents of Tonawanda can expect more reliable emergency services as the town navigates these changes. As the situation develops, officials will continue to monitor the effectiveness of this new arrangement and its impact on community safety.