Last month the city of Jamestown finalized a new agreement with Alstar EMS for EMS services, continuing a partnership that began in 1988.

Alstar began as the city’s primary Emergency Medical Services Response Agency in 1988 and the previous agreement with them was established in November 2020. The newly finalized agreement will be in effect until December 31, 2029.

Alstar EMS provides the city with ambulance transportation and on-scene medical care in coordination with the police and fire departments, responding to more than 5,000 calls in the city each year. Jamestown’s emergency medical response model relies on coordinated service among multiple departments. The fire department provides first-tier EMT-Basic response to 911 calls, while Alstar delivers advanced life support at the EMT-Paramedic level and provides ambulance transportation. The police department also utilizes Alstar for emergency medical care and transport on calls that do not require a concurrent fire department response. When Alstar units are unavailable, the fire department serves as the secondary transport provider.

“This agreement keeps essential emergency medical services in place for Jamestown,” Jamestown Mayor Kimberly Ecklund said in a press release. “Alstar has been a trusted partner for decades, and this agreement ensures these critical services continue without any cost to taxpayers and without interruption.”

Since the time that the previous 2020 agreement was established, demand for emergency medical services has increased significantly, requiring substantial investment in personnel, equipment, and operational capacity. This included the fire department’s deployment of a second ambulance to meet rising call volume, alongside Alstar’s investment in new ambulances, updated equipment, and additional staff. The revised agreement reflects these operational realities and underscores continued investment by both UPMC-Chautauqua and the City to maintain a stable and efficient emergency medical response system.

The updated contract also includes language addressing insurance reimbursement, compliance with state and federal staffing requirements, deployment and response expectations, and ongoing training opportunities for Jamestown fire department personnel.

The updated agreement and continued partnership with UPMC-Chautauqua allows the continuation for fire department members to be allowed access to training at the Alstar EMS Training Center on East Third Street as well.

“This agreement strengthens our ability to serve Jamestown efficiently and safely, ensuring residents have access to the emergency care they need, precisely when they need it,” David Thomas, Executive Director of W.C.A. Services Corporation/Alstar EMS said in a press release.

City officials said the agreement will ensure residents will continue to receive timely and reliable ambulance services while minimizing reliance on mutual-aid agencies staffed by volunteers, also emphasizing that emergency medical services are a core component of modern public safety, operating alongside police and fire departments. Alstar Ambulance has served in this role for years under contract with the city, and as a long-standing UPMC-Chautauqua based partner, officials say Alstar remains a trusted and reliable provider for meeting Jamestown’s current and future emergency medical needs, making the extension of this agreement the most practical and effective choice for the community. The new agreement is designed to provide continuity, accountability, and operational stability as EMS demand continues to grow.

“Our priority is to ensure that every call for help in Jamestown receives a dependable response,” Interim Fire Chief Ryan Roush said in a press release. “This agreement strengthens a partnership that has consistently served the City and ensures our emergency system continues operating without interruption to meet the needs of residents.”