About the Program
Erie County now has its own ambulance service. The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is embarking on a new endeavor to supply additional resources in the pre-hospital setting by establishing a County-run Ambulance Service.
Established in 2023, the Erie County Ambulance Service provides supplemental emergency medical support and ambulance transport for Erie County’s rural communities. Our service was designed to step in and fill the gaps that address transit time and assist Erie County’s local EMTs and paramedics. This support ensures that residents in Erie County get fast, efficient life-saving emergency medical support when needed.
With this new system, we are better prepared than ever to respond quickly to your calls for help and provide the quality care you deserve. Our state-of-the art program is equipped with cutting-edge technology, highly trained staff, 5 ambulances and 2 supervisor fly cars. Our service coordinates with local volunteer fire services and ambulance corps to quickly respond when needed in rural areas, particularly in the southern rural areas of Erie County.
Erie County understands that the overuse of pre-hospital resources puts tremendous strain on the volunteer sector, and that a lack of ambulance availability causes unnecessary backups at hospitals. Reducing that overuse and strengthening the local ambulance network are priorities for Erie County.
Equipment and Technology
Our state-of-the-art equipment includes:
- Stryker Self-Loading stretcher. This 750lb-capable stretcher allows for safer transportation for the patient and crew.
- Lucas Device. This machine offers consistent compressions in a cardiac arrest.
- LifePak 15 Cardiac Monitor and defibrillator
- Video laryngoscope
- Hand-held Sonogram Machines
What to Expect During an Ambulance Ride
When a patient calls 911, be prepared for a rapid response. Upon arrival, the medical team will assess and stabilize the patient’s condition. Be prepared for constant communication between the medical staff and the patient. They will make a transport decision depending on the patient’s condition and medical needs.
During the ambulance ride, the medical team will continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs and provide necessary treatments. The ambulance crew will do their best to keep the patient comfortable and reassured during the ride. They are trained to address anxiety and provide emotional support. The ambulance crew will maintain communication with the receiving hospital, providing them with all the essential information about the patient’s condition.
Once at the hospital, the ambulance crew will transfer the patient to the care of hospital staff.
Insurance and Billing
Our program will work with all insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Erie County Nurse Navigator Program
The Erie County Nurse Navigator program will use registered nurses to triage requests for ambulance transport and determine if the patient can be treated in ways other than being transported to the hospital. The patient will never be refused ambulance service. However, in some cases they will be given alternatives that might be just as effective, would not subject the patient to long hospital waits, and could be more cost effective. The Nurse Navigator will be based at the ADI/MERS dispatch center and be available to any dispatch center in Erie County at no cost. For more information, contact Ryan Sheedy at (716) 858-8699 or
ryan.sheedy2@erie.gov.
Contact
Karyn Krytus
Director of Ambulance Services
Erie County Department of Health
Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
500 Commerce Dr.
Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 858-6751
Fax: (716) 858-7121
Karyn.Krytus@erie.gov