Residents concerned about emergency response in Auburn after AMR closure announcement

The looming shutdown of AMR Ambulance’s Auburn location by December 31 has ratcheted up concerns over emergency service capabilities in the area.

Handling around 3,000 calls annually, AMR has been a pivotal service for the community. With its departure, Auburn and surrounding areas are grappling with potential risks to public safety.

Speaking with CNYCentral over the weekend, Lon Fricano, a paramedic with 57 years of experience, many of which were spent in Auburn, stressed the dire implications of losing AMR.

He said that the volunteer forces would find it “near impossible” to manage the influx of emergency calls alone. He further highlighted the importance of swift ambulance response, especially in more rural settings, where delays can mean the difference between life and death.

Concurrently, the all-volunteer Throop fire department underscored the significant void AMR’s closure would create.

While the emergency services director acknowledged the inevitable, albeit temporary, impact on response times due to AMR’s exit, local emergency services are yet to outline a clear action plan.

At this point, officials in Cayuga County have not publicly stated plans on what the closure might mean for service, or how those gaps might be covered.

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