User:Town Medic/Town of Tonawanda Paramedics

Town of Tonawanda Paramedics - The Town of Tonawanda's Emergency Medical Unit is a public service organization within the Town of Tonawanda Police Department that provides Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. It is the critical link in the community's EMS system, providing high-quality and advanced patient care.

Formation of the Paramedic Unit - The Town's Paramedic Unit was conceived and developed by James V. Ryan, town supervisor, and Dr. Joseph Takats III in 1974. A rigorous paramedic training program was set up by Dr. Takats III, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, the University of Buffalo Medical School and many area hospitals.

In June of 1975, 14 paramedics, consisting of nine original and five alternates, graduated from that program and began to gear up for commencement of service in August. On August 11, 1975, at 12:01 am, the town paramedics began providing basic and advanced life support for the residents of the Town of Tonawanda. 1,705 requests for first aid were received in the first year of service.

In 2013, the paramedic unit consisted of a Paramedic Supervisor, Paramedic Operations Manager, 13 full-time and 4 part-time paramedics who received over 7,100 call for service in their 38 year of service to the community.