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14 | Alstar EMS
Alstar and Starflight services are coordinat-
ed through W.C.A.’s medical communica-
tions and dispatch center known as Med-
Com. As the nerve center for the dispatch
of ambulances, flycars, wheelchair vans and
the Starflight medical crew, W.C.A.’s com-
munication system enable them to speak
with crews from Erie to Buffalo, Jamestown
to Dunkirk and beyond. MedCom is tied-in
via dedicated phone lines (as well as radio
link) to the public safety and 911 answer-
ing points in Mayville, Dunkirk, Fredonia
and Little Valley. MedCom also serves as the
initial point of contact for other community
ambulances when they call for paramedic-
intercept assistance, helicopter response or
for basic information involving patients at
WCA Hospital.
As a rural area, Thomas says the com-
munity was compelled to develop resources
to help grow the business as the needs of the
community grew. Like other rural commu-
nities throughout the country, this area has
a shortage of emergency personnel and ser-
vices are largely complemented by teams of
volunteers. W.C.A. Services Corp. provides
another crucial service in paramedic and life
support training through the auspices of an
8,000 square-foot training center. The center
is equipped with a range of breakout rooms,
mannequins, training equipment and addi-
tionally has an in-house ambulance to pro-