Below is a partial copy of a article in the Buffalo News(Buffalo New York) -Buffalo New York Fire Department has a chance to create a revenue stream for their Department. They have been duplicating this service for years by answering every squad call in the City. Now they have a chance to do what they all know is best for the taxpayers of Buffalo.

Buffalo needs to take over the ambulance service and stream that income back into a cash strapped Departments budget ! ? The Mayor and Cittistats Members have been actively working with B.F.D. Admin to solve their money issues.

Well guys and Gals - here's your chance - grab it and remove those who say it can't be done ! Or, sit back and watch another chance to grow a department fade away because of "Political/Admin." interference.


Firefighters prepared to step in if ambulance workers strikeBy Maki Becker and Brian Meyer -- News Staff Reporters
Updated: 10/09/08 11:49 AM
Firefighters are prepared to provide additional emergency services in the unlikely event that workers who provide ambulance service in Buffalo go on strike, city officials confirmed today.


"Cutler said City Hall was keeping close tabs on the situation and that contingency plans have been discussed. City firefighters are already first responders to emergency calls and can provide basic life support services. Cutler said that in the unlikely event Rural/Metro employees stage a job action, firefighters would expand their emergency services duties.
"There's definitely a back-up plan in place, but we don't think there will be any need to implement it," Cutler said this morning.
Fire Commissioner Michael S. Lombardo said about half of all firefighters are emergency medical technicians, while the rest are certified first responders.
"We're going to do whatever we need to do to make sure the citizens of Buffalo are safe," said Lombardo, adding that he has been in touch with Rural/Metro officials.
Rural/Metro is Buffalo's exclusive provider of ambulance service. It also provides emergency medical services to many neighboring localities, including Niagara Falls, Lockport, Medina and the towns of Cheektowaga, Hamburg and Evans.
In July, the membership strongly rejected a proposal advanced by a federal mediator. As the labor dispute festered throughout the summer, Rural/Metro officials downplayed the possibility of a strike. What's more, they gave assurances that the company would work closely with "municipal partners," nursing homes and local hospitals to try to avoid service disruptions in the event of a walkout.
Both sides have said over the last few months that they hope to avoid a strike.

mbecker@buffnews.com, bmeyer@buffnews.com[/size]