Brockport, N.Y. — The decision by hospital administrators to close Lakeside Health System’s emergency department is expected to have a large impact on the transportation times of Brockport Ambulance.
“It’s going to take us the better part of two hours to make an entire transport and get back into service,” said Lucas Vandervort, Operations Manager for Brockport Ambulance.
The ambulance service has three ambulances that serve the Village of Brockport, which includes the College at Brockport.
“Our traumatic patients that were very critical a lot of times, just for their health and their well being were transported to Lakeside until they were stabilized,” added Vandervort.
Once Lakeside’s emergency department closes, which is expected in two months, Brockport Ambulance will transport all of its patients to Unity Hospital, Strong Memorial Hospital or Rochester General Health System.
The change will stretch resources at Brockport Ambulance. More staff will be added and their hours are expected to be extended.
There are eight paid staff members and approximately 20 active volunteers at Brockport Ambulance.