The city Fire Department is entering into a pilot partnership with Finger Lakes Ambulance to address emergency medical service shortcomings caused by staffing shortages.
Fire Chief Del Parrotta informed City Council about the plan at its Nov. 2 meeting.
Parrotta said the lack of EMS personnel is “not a local problem. It’s a national problem. Everybody in the county is experiencing it. We’re experiencing it.”
However, with instances of ambulances arriving at city calls 40-45 minutes after being dispatched, it was time for action, he explained.
“It does affect the city of Geneva on a grand scale,” Parrotta told Council. “I think some members have experienced (this).”
Firefighters with emergency medical experience already respond to emergency medical calls of the most critical nature, Parrotta noted.