Insider analysis: Buffalo’s response to AMR delays – a move toward city-run EMS?

With growing concerns over AMR’s performance, Buffalo looks at managing its own EMS – a decision that could set a precedent for other cities

August 26, 2024 09:03 AM •

What happened: Buffalo, New York, is grappling with a critical issue that could signal a broader trend in the EMS industry: dissatisfaction with contracted EMS services. The city is considering establishing its own ambulance service in response to persistent concerns about AMR’s response times.

| More: N.Y. city considers creating its own ambulance service due to slow response times

Highlights

Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:

Response times under scrutiny. AMR, a major EMS provider, is facing significant criticism from Buffalo residents and city officials due to delays in response times. Reports suggest that patients, including children with broken bones, have experienced excessive wait times for emergency care and transport. This situation has raised alarms about the reliability of contracted EMS services.
A broader industry issue. The challenges faced by AMR in Buffalo may be part of a larger pattern where municipalities are re-evaluating their reliance on private EMS services. The fundamental question is whether the profit-driven model of private EMS can consistently prioritize patient care over financial considerations.
A shift towards public services. The Buffalo case could be an early indicator of a shift in the EMS industry. As municipalities begin to reconsider the value of EMS as a public service rather than a contracted business, we may see more cities and towns exploring the option of managing their own EMS services.

The path forward

The upcoming town council meeting in Buffalo on September 10th will be a critical moment for AMR. The company will need to address the community’s concerns and demonstrate its commitment to providing the level of service it promised. How AMR responds could have significant implications, not just for Buffalo, but for the EMS industry as a whole.

| More: AMR responds to N.Y. council’s concerns about response times

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Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C

Ed is a managing partner and chief executive officer of Overrun Productions, LLC; and co-host of The Overrun Podcast. Ed is a recovering medical student and paramedic.

His academic interests are in healthcare policy, team leadership and development, resuscitation and EMS medicine. Before attending medical school, he was a field preceptor and EMS educator for 10 years.

A second-generation paramedic, Ed works to inform the public about the importance of EMS and strives to encourage other EMS providers to move the profession forward using the most up-to-date data and technology.

He is a fan of old movies, the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Daniel Schwester, MICP

Daniel Schwester has been a paramedic since 2000. He has served in a variety of roles including education, field training, clinical supervision and active practice as a paramedic.

He is the managing partner of Overrun Productions, LLC; and a co-host of The Overrun Podcast.

He is married to Jennifer, and is father to Caroline and William. He resides in Toms River, New Jersey.