Is North Shore Ambulance Service Coming to Garden City?

Rumors of a North Shore-LIJ Health System Center for Emergency Medical Services take over in the village are just that right now - rumors.

Sources tell Patch that the ambulance service is coming to the village in January. Village administrator Robert Schoelle, however, told Patch that the village board of trustees has not entered into an agreement with anyone other than Nassau County.

"Someone called to schedule an appointment to introduce their service last summer and literature was sent but to date we haven’t spoken," he said.

Alan Schwalberg, vice president of emergency medical services for North Shore-LIJ confirmed the same. "I have not spoken with any Garden City Village officials or anyone else concerning our ambulance service within the village but I would look forward to any opportunity to discuss the very successful public private partnerships that we have developed in the region. Each partnership has resulted in improved service reliability, a higher level of quality patient care and a significant savings to the local community," he said.

The village of Hempstead has been using the service since July. The Hempstead partnership is a trial arrangement that isn't costing the village a dime.

The agreement is North Shore-LIJ's fourth contract with local municipalities. North Shore ambulances have been providing the service to the village of Rockville Centre since 2008 and more recently became the primary 911 EMS provider for the village of Lake Success and the Port Authority at LaGuardia Airport.

Chief Charles Cavarra told Patch that the village's police and fire departments can't make any decisions regarding the service. Rather, he said, any agreement would have to be approved by the board of trustees.

“These public-private-partnerships are designed to preserve the traditions of the volunteer fire service, respect the practice of home-rule and result in substantial savings for already beleaguered Long Island taxpayers,” Schwalberg said in a press release.

Cavarra said the village has one dedicated county ambulance, stationed at the Garden City Water Works building, and gained "half an ambulance" since the county no longer responds to Hempstead Village emergencies.

"There's a little bit better coverage in the village then there used to be," Chief Cavarra said.

Do you want the village to partner with North Shore-LIJ to provide ambulance services in Garden City? Let us know in the comments section below.