ROME, N.Y. -- "My son was killed in an automobile accident two blocks from my home," said Utica resident Joseph Albanese. "He was rushed to the hospital and was in need of a helicopter to transport him to Syracuse. As the helicopter landed a couple hours later, he passed away on the table."
"Had there been Mercy Flight then, he probably would be standing with us here today," Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said.
After a successful trial run last summer, and the necessary funding, Mercy Flight Central has made Rome its newest home.
"We have long wanted to be here on a permanent basis, and I'm very happy to say we're here and we're here to stay," said Mercy Flight Central President and CEO Jeff Bartkoski.
Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"In addition to a paramedic, we have a registered nurse on board, so the two come together as a team," said Flight Paramedic Donald Cane.
But it does come with a price tag.
"It'll be a $50,000 appropriation annually, along with space here at Griffiss International for the crew, and of course, the 'copter," Picente said.
Officials said having Mercy Flight Central at Griffiss will cut down on emergency response time to local situations -- which will be very helpful, because during emergencies, every minute counts.
The coverage area includes Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison and Hamilton counties.
"An easy way to think of it is about 2 miles a minute is how fast we'll fly," said Bartkoski.
"Mercy Flight is something that is desperately needed when there's an emergency," said Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo.
"Today is my son's birthday of all days, and here's Mercy Flight," said Albanese. "I guess it's a nice ending."