As complaints mount, Council President suggests city create its own ambulance service

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Over the course of a number of years, I've heard complaints about slow response times, whether it is our current provider or our previous provider," said Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon with WBEN on Friday.

American Medical Response, or AMR, is the primary ambulance provider in Buffalo. They have been operating without a contract since March 2021.

Many Buffalo lawmakers have received reports of ambulances showing up over an hour late, or not showing up at all.

That's unacceptable to Scanlon.

"Next Tuesday, I'm introducing a resolution asking the city to look into creating our own ambulance service that could be embedded within the Buffalo Fire Department. This way, we'll have greater autonomy over ambulance services and make sure that things are running a little more smoothly," he said.

In the past year, both Erie and Niagara County have established their own ambulance services.

"I can't speak for other municipalities," Scanlon said, "but an ambulance provider has to be there within a certain amount of time. If we can create our own service, I think it will be much more efficient. In addition, it would create a feeder program for our fire department. You have men and women who are already EMT certified, who can take the fire exam and perhaps move on to a career in the fire department if they want to."

In the interim, Scanlon said the city needs an ambulance provider that is showing up on time and providing the proper service. Lawmakers are asking a representative from AMR to appear at an upcoming Buffalo Common Council Finance Committee meeting.