Five Questions
1 What services does Mohawk Ambulance Service provide?
We’re the largest privatelyowned ambulance service in upstate New York and provide emergency medical services to municipalities within Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and parts of Montgomery County. We also provide nonemergency transportation throughout much of New York and the Northeast for wheelchair and bed-bound clients who don’t require medical monitoring or medical care during transportation, such as a trip to a doctor’s appointment or moving from a hospital to a nursing home.
2 How did you get started in this industry?
I’ve always had an interest in helping people and, in 1991, I joined the Northside Fire District in my hometown of Waterford as a volunteer firefighter. I continue to serve as a volunteer today, and have held every position in the fire service from firefighter, lieutenant and captain to assistant chief and chief. In 1996, I pursued an opportunity to attend a part-time law enforcement academy and worked as a part-time police officer in the Villages of Ballston Spa and Corinth and the New York State Park Police based out of Saratoga Springs. Those experiences led me to pursue becoming an EMT. I joined Empire Ambulance in Troy for four years before coming to Mohawk Ambulance Service in 2011.
3 How has the overall industry changed over the years?
Technology has played a major role in how the industry has evolved. The technology to assess and treat patients as well as communicate with partners is much more efficient. Using tablets in our ambulances, we can actively record information and transmit it to the hospitals while we’re transporting a patient to allow hospital staff to be better prepared for a patient’s arrival. Our computer-aided dispatch and GPS tracking systems help us manage our resources and respond to emergencies as quickly as possible. Often times, ambulances are already en-route by the time you hang up the phone.
4 What is the best part of the work that you do?
I think the best part of my job is the knowledge that we’re helping people, whether it’s through life saving measures or just helping them get around town. We are doing our very best to ensure that though our patients may be facing challenges, our compassionate and talented staff will deliver the highest quality service. I love reading the thank you notes from those we’ve helped – it’s rewarding to hear and share those stories.
5 How has Mohawk Ambulance evolved over the years?
Mohawk Ambulance got its start in 1964 with a fleet of two ambulances. Today, we have 35 ambulances and
employ more than 250 New York State certified EMTs, critical care technicians and paramedics. Probably our most significant recent change was the start of our transition to a new type of ambulance vehicle. The new ones have a more spacious interior, giving our emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics more room to work when treating patients. We constantly invest in our fleet and the equipment we use to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care.