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Onondaga County (NY) EMS

From The RadioReference Wiki

County EMS Agencies

Abbreviation Full Name
GBAC Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps
EAVES East Area Volunteer Emergency Services
NAVAC North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps
NOVA Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance Service (Formerly Moyers Corners Ambulance)
SAVES Skaneateles Ambulance Volunteer Emergency Service
WAVES West Area Volunteer Emergency Service
AMR American Medical Response (Syracuse, Dewitt, and Salina)
Smith Ambulance Out of Deruyter (Madison Co.) but has territory in Onondaga Co.
TLC Ambulance Tender Loving Care (Onondaga Co., Cortland Co. & Cayuga Co.)

Ambulances operated by Fire Departments

  • Manlius
  • Fayetteville
  • Jordan
  • Tully
  • Lafayette
  • Brewerton
  • Syracuse (Maintains two ambulances on an as-needed basis to maintain their CON. Housed and staffed by Engine Co. 3 or the EMS Division as-needed)

Radio Codes

In Onondaga County, "10" Codes are no longer used. Instead, what were formerly 10 codes are called signals. Signals still in use include:

  • Signal 32 - Use Caution
  • Signal 50 - Officer/Crew needs immediate assistance
  • Signal 79 - Property Damage MVC
  • Signal 80 - Personal Injury MVC
  • Signal 98 - Minor Fire/Working Car/Working Trash Fire
  • Signal 99 - Working Structure Fire

Countywide Color Codes

  • White No lights or sirens
  • Red Life threatening
  • Yellow MVA involving school bus


Dispatching and Response statuses changed around 2015, going from the color-coded system to more in line with EMD determinant codes. However, you'll hear variations of both the White/Red codes, AMR's Cold/Hot response when upgrading or downgrading units en-route to a call.

EMD Determinate Codes

  • Alpha - Stable BLS
  • Bravo - Unstable BLS
  • Charlie - Stable ALS/Unstable BLS
  • Delta - Unstable BLS
  • Echo - Unconscious/Not Breathing - Unknown life status

Related Links