BUFFALO, N.Y. — ARM officials kept their word and met with members of the Buffalo Common Council Tuesday morning during a session of the finance committee.
At no point was the meeting heated or contentious, perhaps to the chagrin of those who were looking for a spectacle.
But there was, if nothing else, polite finger-pointing between all sides about how to improve perceived issues with ambulance service in the city of Buffalo.
AMR Regional Director Tim Frost told the council that improving response times has nothing to do with the number of ambulances available to them.
"You can buy 100 ambulances tomorrow, if you don't have the EMTs and paramedics, you cannot staff them," Frost said.
Frost commended the over 350 EMTs, paramedics, and dispatchers who work for AMR Buffalo.
"There is very few people that work as hard as the EMTs and paramedics that work here in the city of Buffalo, and that's not in the comparison to anybody else, that is a fact," Frost said. "The only way that we improve that kind of working condition is by the addition of people."
Frost says the focus needs to be on hiring more EMTs and paramedics, adopting a nurse navigation city for the city, and doing a better job of triaging 911 calls.
The nurse navigation system, according to AMR's website, will all 911 dispatch to connect someone to a nurse directly. Additionally, "after triaging the caller, the nurses can connect callers to clinics, arrange transportation to and from appointments, and notify a clinic when a patient is arriving."
During the council meeting, Frost said that if one of the nurse navigators determines an ambulance is needed, one would be dispatched.
Rochester implemented a nurse navigation system a few years ago, according to AMR.
"I think it was either the third or the fourth program in the country," Frost said.. "We've had ongoing success and expansion since the the onset."
Several council members wanted to know what the hold-up was between the city and AMR regarding a new contract.
Fillmore District Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski specifically wanted to know who dropped the ball when it came to failure to finalize a new deal between the city and AMR.
"Whose job is it to negotiate a contract?" Nowakowski asked. "When can we expect an RFP or a contract before articulated before the body?"
Commissioner Renaldo said he doesn't negotiate contracts.
"Contrary to popular belief, I can't negotiate contracts, I don't negotiate contracts," Renaldo said. "I do have some input, but we do have those discussions behind closed doors."
Administration, Finance, Police & Urban Affairs Commissioner Delano Dowell was had a broader explanation.
"[I] think one of the key things far as regards to contract negotiations, it will be the Department of Law in alliance with Buffalo Fire Department really negotiating with AMR in regards to contractual obligations of a new agreement."
Renaldo told the Finance Committee that the city will send new terms of a deal to AMR this week.