Syracuse Awards EMS Contract at No Cost to the City

Syracuse Awards EMS Contract at No Cost to the City

Published on September 05, 2025

Joint Press Release:

Syracuse Awards EMS Contract at No Cost to the City

Agreement with AMR strengthens emergency medical services and secures long-term stability for residents

SYRACUSE, N.Y (September 5, 2025) - The Syracuse Fire Department and American Medical Response(AMR) announce that the City of Syracuse has finalized a contract with AMR to serve as its exclusive provider of 911 ambulance services. AMR will provide services under the agreement at no additional cost to the municipality.

The agreement, approved by the Syracuse Common Council on Sept. 2, formalizes a long-standing operational partnership between the emergency medical service (EMS) provider and the city. AMR has operated under informal arrangements since 1953, continuing to respond to emergency medical calls while a permanent contract was under review.

The new contract will remain in place for three years, with the option to renew for two additional years. It outlines clear expectations for performance, monthly data reporting, and enhanced coordination with the Syracuse Fire Department and Onondaga County 911.

"AMR has been a trusted part of our emergency response system for years," said Chief Michael Monds with the Syracuse Fire Department. "This agreement gives our partnership structure and stability, while continuing to support coordinated, highquality care for our residents. We're not starting something new - we're solidifying what works."

Meeting demand with proven performance

In 2024, AMR responded to more than 50,000 emergency medical calls within Syracuse city limits - an average of nearly 140 calls per day. That volume reflects the city's growing EMS needs and the importance of a dedicated, high-performing provider.

As part of the agreement, AMR will provide regular performance updates to ensure accountability and reliability in meeting the community's emergency medical needs.

Transparency, accountability and access

The agreement includes oversight measures to strengthen public trust. AMR will provide monthly data to the city and Syracuse Fire Department and maintain a public-facing concern hotline where residents can share feedback or report issues.

The contract also outlines community-facing commitments, including:

• Two EMT training scholarships for Syracuse residents per EMT class
• Outreach to high school students about EMS career paths
• Ongoing joint training exercises with Syracuse Fire Department personnel
• Regular ambulance rotation to ensure fleet readiness and safety

Now in its fourth year, AMR continues to provide added value through 911 Nurse Navigation that gives emergency dispatchers the ability to connect eligible callers with trained nurse navigators, who follow protocols to ensure they receive direction to an appropriate level of care. The 911 Nurse Navigation screening system directs callers to the right care, at the right time, in the right setting-enhancing outcomes while optimizing costs. By prioritizing that ambulances are used for the most critical cases, the program helps improve system efficiency and ensures the right care at the right time for callers.

A system the public already trusts

AMR and its local predecessor companies have served Central New York for more than 70 years. It is the region's only ambulance provider accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), meeting rigorous national standards for clinical care, safety and operations.

Since first earning accreditation in 1993, AMR Syracuse has maintained it for 32 consecutive years - without any negative finding - placing it among the most elite EMS agencies in the country.

"We're proud to continue serving Syracuse with the same professionalism and care we've delivered for decades," said Bill McGarrity, regional director for AMR. "This agreement reflects the trust we've built and our shared goal of advancing emergency medical services across Central New York."

###

• Syracuse Fire News