What We Do

Western Area Volunteer Emergency Service

Since 1975, Western Area Volunteer Emergency Service has provided quality emergency medical services to the Town of Camillus. In 2011, WAVES also contracted to provide emergency care to the Minoa and Kirkville Fire Districts. In 2022, WAVES responded to more than 5,000 emergency calls.

What is an EMS Professional?

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Professionals are trained and certified by New York State to provide prehospital medical care on scene and during transport to a hospital.

New York State EMT Patch

Basic Life Support (BLS) – EMT

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) provide basic life support to treat a variety of patient symptoms, illnesses, and injuries, including breathing problems, bleeding, broken bones, falls, etc. Their certification includes CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for patients in cardiac arrest.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) – Paramedic

Paramedics provide advanced life support to critical patients. They respond to all life threatening (or potentially life threatening) emergencies as well as other serious calls. Paramedics perform intubation, initiate IVs, provide medication, and administer and interpret 12-lead echocardiograms to analyze electrical activity in a patient’s heart. These skills often save a life on scene or during transport to the hospital.

Our Mission

WAVES is a community-based provider of Emergency Medical Services that maintains the duty to earn the confidence, trust, and respect of those we serve by providing dedicated, compassionate, and courteous expert care wherever we are needed. The mission of WAVES is fulfilled through teamwork, education, and leadership. Clinical excellence is combined with courage, integrity, and diligence to cultivate a mastery of the art and science of pre-hospital emergency care.

Our Vision

WAVES will serve as the leading provider of Emergency Medical Services by creating a supportive environment for our members that fosters learning and promotes team building; providing uncompromising care utilizing all available resources; providing quality education to our members and our communities; and supporting the communities we serve by maintaining a strong presence and participation in community events.

WAVES adheres to the following values:

  • Commitment to Service: We treat persons with illness and injury in our community with care and compassion, utilizing effective principles and practices of patient care. We strive for excellence through ongoing evaluation and improvement.
  • Respect: We recognize the dignity of others and communicate with others in a respectful manner.
  • Integrity: We serve with honesty, loyalty, and dedication.
  • Accountability: We are responsible for our actions, both positive and negative.
  • Teamwork: We practice teamwork through communication and cooperation to achieve common goals.
  • Fair Treatment: We do not discriminate against patients or personnel on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age, disability, political belief, military service, or any other legally protected characteristic.

All of us at WAVES truly appreciate you taking the time to visit our Website. If you have any questions about WAVES or would like information about how you can get involved please contact us. We’d love to hear from our community.