WYNT
ROTTERDAM, N.Y. — It was a hometown victory in Rotterdam Wednesday night, as town residents stepped up to the plate to help rescue the jobs of the men and women who rescue them.
The not-for-profit Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services — REMS — has been providing emergency medical services in their hometown since FDR was in the White House. In recent months, however, privately owned Mohawk Ambulance had been making a strong push to take over. On Wednesday night, the Rotterdam town board resuscitated the ailing rescue squad, with a healthy infusion of support from the community.
At times the process turned ugly. The only thing that exceeded the size of the standing room only crowd at Rotterdam Town Hall Wednesday night was the amount of vitriol and emotion, with the overwhelming number of town residents determined to save their local rescue squad. “REMS has four vehicles available, dedicated to the town of Rotterdam,” said town resident Jim Alderdice. “Why fix something that isn’t broken?” Diane Bueller asked rhetorically.
Full story: REMS to remain on the job, Mohawk Ambulance out