LOCKPORT, N.Y. -- A group of Niagara County leaders and first responders are heading to the New York State Capital next week to make sure people in the county have access to emergency medical services.
The group wants professional ambulance service Mercy EMS to back up volunteer responders in Niagara County.
However, some competing companies have tried to block Mercy EMS from getting a state "certificate of need," which is needed for Mercy to operate throughout the county.
The group plans to tell the State Emergency Medical Services Council in Albany why their plan is the best for the entire community.
"Almost every municipality wrote letters of support, every fire, police agency wrote support, and we still faced appeals," said Jonathan Schultz, Niagara County Emergency Services Director & Fire Coordinator. "So until we get through that vote on Wednesday, I'm nervous. We need this for our citizens."
As many as 56 local representatives are expected to make that trip a week from now.