Celebrating 50 Years of Service

On January 17, 1975, a group of concerned citizens in Camillus took a bold step to ensure the safety and well-being of their community. With a shared vision, they founded WAVES, Inc. — Western Area Volunteer Emergency Services — with the goal of providing a dedicated ambulance service to the area. Their hard work and determination to organize, fund raise, recruit volunteers, and train personnel led to the launch of WAVES Ambulance on or about April 1, 1975. Initially serving the Fairmount Fire District, the service area gradually expanded to cover the entire Town of Camillus as the township grew.

Over the past five decades, WAVES has evolved and grown tremendously, responding to more than 3,500 calls for service each year. From humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of emergency response in the region, WAVES has touched countless lives and played a pivotal role in ensuring the health and safety of our community.

As WAVES prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2025, we reflect on our history with pride and gratitude. We invite you to join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on our anniversary celebrations, culminating in a grand event in May 2025.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have supported us over the years. Your donations, whether big or small, are crucial to our mission and help us continue providing top-quality emergency services. Without your generosity, none of this would be possible.

Thank you for being an integral part of the WAVES story. Here’s to many more years of service to our community!