From WIVB.com

Alden Extends LVAC Ambulance Coverage Through November; Mercy Flight EMS to Take Over Dec. 1

ALDEN, N.Y. — September 22, 2026

After approximately 10 years of providing ambulance service throughout the Town of Alden without a direct municipal service fee, Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps will remain the town’s contracted ambulance provider through the end of November.

Beginning December 1, 2026, Mercy Flight EMS is expected to take over contracted ambulance coverage in Alden.

The Alden Town Board approved a temporary extension with Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corps, commonly known as LVAC, during Monday night’s meeting.

The agreement prevents an immediate interruption in contracted ambulance coverage while the town prepares for the transition to Mercy Flight EMS.

Under the temporary agreement, town officials said Alden will pay LVAC $100 for each uninsured patient transported or treated under the contract.

LVAC representative Bernard Jerozal said that amount still does not completely cover the organization’s cost of providing service.

“We still lose money even with that extra $100, but in the name of public safety and trying to show the public we want to work with them, we can’t continue to take these losses,” Jerozal said.

He added that LVAC remains willing to discuss a possible multi-year agreement if the financial terms allow the organization to at least break even while providing the service.

Mercy Flight EMS Selected Beginning December 1

During Monday’s meeting, Alden Town Supervisor Colleen Pautler announced that following private negotiations, the town selected Mercy Flight EMS to become its ambulance provider effective December 1.

Pautler said that entering into a new agreement with LVAC would have represented the first year the Town of Alden would incur a direct cost for contracted ambulance service.

“Mercy Flight will take over,” Pautler said during the meeting. “They will be in the Town of Alden 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Councilwoman Gwendolyn Bork said town officials appreciate Mercy Flight agreeing to provide service and said the town intends to monitor the agency’s performance.

“We’re thankful that Mercy’s going to step up, that we’re going to have not only the service now but hopefully long into the future,” Bork said.

She added that town officials plan to hold Mercy Flight accountable to the service requirements contained in the contract.

Town officials said the Mercy Flight agreement remains under review.

Fire Chiefs Raise Concerns Over Communication

Although the extension avoids an immediate gap in ambulance coverage, questions remain among some of Alden’s emergency services leadership regarding the process used to select the new provider.

Alden Emergency Services Coordinator Bob Eleczko said fire chiefs and emergency service officials believe they should have been more involved in discussions before a final provider was selected.

“What angered all of the fire chiefs was no communication all summer long until Monday; boom, Mercy’s the new EMS provider,” Eleczko said.

Eleczko also acknowledged LVAC’s history in Alden.

“LVAC bailed this town out 10 years ago, and our desire was to stay with them,” he said.

The concern, according to Eleczko, is not necessarily directed at Mercy Flight EMS itself, but instead centers on questions regarding staffing, backup coverage and how the system will operate when the primary Alden ambulance is already committed to another emergency.

Questions Remain About Backup Ambulance Coverage

Eleczko said current plans call for one paramedic-level Mercy Flight ambulance to be stationed within the Town of Alden, reportedly at the town highway garage.

Emergency services officials are seeking additional information about what will happen when that ambulance is unavailable.

“We’ll establish more tomorrow if that ambulance is going to be backfilled, where additional ambulances will be coming from if we need them,” Eleczko said.

He said the priority for Alden’s fire chiefs and emergency management officials is ensuring residents continue receiving reliable emergency medical coverage.

“The town fire chiefs and I all care about, as the emergency manager, is the best coverage for this town,” Eleczko said.

He emphasized that the questions should not be interpreted as criticism of Mercy Flight EMS.

“Whether Mercy can give that or not remains to be seen. No dig on Mercy EMS,” he said. “But we know what we have right now, we’re confident in what we have.”

Mercy Flight Says It Is Committed to Alden

Mercy Flight Executive Scott Wooten told those attending Monday’s meeting that the organization is committed to maintaining a strong level of ambulance service in Alden.

“I’m very interested and very committed in making sure that ambulance service here in town is at least as good as what you’ve been accustomed to having, if not better,” Wooten said.

“I care about my town and that’s how we got here tonight.”

Emergency Services Meeting Planned

Town fire chiefs and emergency service leaders are expected to meet with Mercy Flight EMS officials Tuesday to review the proposed contract and discuss operational details surrounding the transition.

Among the issues expected to receive attention are:

• Where the primary Alden ambulance will be stationed
• How the ambulance will be staffed
• What level of Advanced Life Support coverage will be provided
• How backup ambulances will respond when the Alden unit is already committed
• Expected response times
• Mutual-aid arrangements
• Performance and accountability requirements contained in the contract

For residents, the most immediate development is that Alden will continue to have contracted LVAC ambulance coverage through November 30, eliminating the previously anticipated immediate coverage gap.

Mercy Flight EMS is scheduled to assume contracted ambulance operations beginning December 1, 2026.

Erie County Blotter will continue following the transition and will provide additional information as details regarding staffing, backup coverage and the final Mercy Flight EMS contract become available.