Two ambulance companies vying for Cohoes contract

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The City of Cohoes has been receiving ambulance services through a three-year contract with Ambulnz, which expired in April. Two extensions can still be used while the Common Council looks for a five-year contract that matches the current partnership with its fire department.

“The fire department will go and Ambulnz will follow them to the call and then they both will provide patient care at that time. Ambulnz will transport the patient to whatever hospital they go to whether it’s Samaritan, St. Peter’s, or Albany Med,” explained Shawn Higgins, Second Ward Councilman and Vice President of the Cohoes Common Council.

Meghan Lass, Director of Operations for Ambulnz, says a new contract would be the same as it is now: “24-hour ALS (Advanced Life Support) and 16-hour BLS (Basic Life Support).”

The only other company competing with Ambulnz is Mohawk Ambulance. Mary Wilkes, Director of Operations for Mohawk Ambulance, says their contract would have, “One dedicated ALS ambulance available seven days per week, 24 hours per day, in addition to a dedicated ALS or BLS ambulance available 16 hours per day, seven days a week.”

The Common Council’s decision will come down to which provider meets in the middle with cost and community commitment. Spokespeople from both companies described very similar business models that meet state training standards, involve the community through school events, and drive ambulances that can transport young children.

So, what’s the difference?

For starters, Mohawk has a union – which Ambulnz does not, and Mohawk has been around for almost 40 more years. A Mohawk spokesperson said they have 50 cars on the road at any given time and 30 of them are used locally. An Ambulnz spokesperson said there are 12 ambulances running every day in the local area. These ambulances could be relocated anywhere in the Capital Region if one contracted area experiences more calls than another.

The Common Council will have to weigh all these factors when it comes to a deal. Next steps to picking an ambulance provider include a public workshop followed by a vote at the next meeting. These events will happen on future Tuesdays.