BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County is expanding its ambulance service even further south.
County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Friday the ambulances will now operate in the towns of Marilla and Elma as a back-up when needed.
"It's another example of how we can provide a good service to the people of Erie County, ensuring the safety and welfare of our citizens while relying, of course, on the trained professionals that are volunteer firefighters in these districts, to deal with these daily activities and, if needed, our ambulance service can be there as a backup," Poloncarz said.
The county's ambulance service started last year, in an effort to expand emergency medical care to more rural areas.
Erie County announced Friday that it is also giving out life-saving devices to help first responders.
Four new AEDs have been donated and will be deployed in ambulances. The goal is to eventually distribute 100 of them to places in need.
County leaders on Friday said the benefit is that defibrillators can be used by anyone, in case first responders have yet to arrive to the scene. Erie County is also expanding its ambulance services.
"We're also pleased to announce that we will be expanding the ambulance service from its current location, primarily from southern Erie County up to the Town of Aurora, and expanding it as needed as a backup for the towns of Marilla and Elma," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said.
Poloncarz said the expansion will help prepare for worst-case scenarios.