Tri-Community Ambulance 

Proudly serving the residents of the Bergholz, Pekin, Sanborn and St. Johnsburg Fire districts since 1956!

History and Advancements of Tri-Community Ambulance Service, Inc.

serving with 100% volunteer professionalism since 1956!

A need is recognized...

1956  -  The Sanborn-Pekin Ambulance Service was formed in 1956 to address a growing need of not having a local ambulance service.  Residents grew concerned over the considerable time it took for an ambulance to come from one of the nearby cities to answer calls in our area.

Our first month of service...

In the first month of service, the Sanborn-Pekin Ambulance Service received only three calls!  Today, Tri-Community runs an average of 117 calls per month!

Community effort....community support

1958 -  Pekin Garage donates 2 days worth of profits to the ambulance service!  Unfortunately, you don't see that kind of community dedication now a days!   Also, the same year the ambulance service purchased a 1952 Cadillac Ambulance for $2,500.00.

Investing in our company

1962  -  the ambulance service purchased 2 buildings this year.

A different name, same mission

1963  -  This year marked some profound change for the ambulance service.  First, the Sanborn-Pekin Ambulance Service was renamed to Tri-Community Ambulance Service.  Tri-Community also purchased 2 ambulances that year, one for the Sanborn unit and one for the Bergholz unit.

Communications advancement

1972  -  Since the start of the ambulance service, all emergency calls for service were routed to members homes where dedicated phone dispatchers would each take shifts to answer any inbound calls.  Starting in 1972 all emergency dispatching and communications occured at the Niagara County Sheriffs Department.  1972 proved to be a big year for EMS in New York State as well, as this was the year that the Medical Emergency Technician program began in New York.

Partnership with Tri-Town Ambulance

1977  -  Tri-Community Ambulance and Tri-Town Ambulance partnered to purchase a new base radio, which was donated to the Niagara County Sheriff's Department for use.  Also, this year began the Pekin ambulance being stationed formally at Pekin fire company.

Tri-Community speaks at Article 30 hearing in Buffalo, NY.

1986  -  A representative from Tri-Community Ambulance Service spoke at the New York State Department of Health Article 30 proposal hearing in Buffalo, NY.

Centralized Operations

Tri-Community Ambulance Service broke ground on a new property to centralize all operations out of one station.  The Sanborn-Pekin unit and Bergholz unit would now be housed together out of one station, located at 6276 Ward Road.  This station went into service early in 1996.

Increased care for our residents...

1996  -  Tri-Community increased our level of care from BLS to ILS in 1996 to provide additional service and care for our community.

Increased care; national tragedy strikes

2001  -  Tri-Community Ambulance increased our level of care from ILS (Intermediate Life Support) to ALS-Paramedic (Advanced Life Support).  This is the same level of care our agency is today.  Also in 2001, Tri-Community Ambulance was called upon to activate and report to New York City following the terrorist attack of September 11th.  Tri-Community Unit 2 reported to New York City to cover calls with crew members:  Sherri Reischel, Chad Shepherd, Margaret Blake, Scott Blake, Wendi Walker and Amanda Ohlson.

Increased the fleet size

2003  -  Tri-Community has seen a steady increase in calls each year.  To help ensure we have the proper number of ambulances for our district, Tri-Community increased our ambulance fleet from 2 ambulances to 3 ambulances.  The third ambulance was purchased from South Lockport Fire Company.

Re-investing into our community

2005  -  Our new 2005 Marque Ambulance was placed into service (Ambulance 330).  Additionally, Tri-Community purchased 4 brand new LifePak 12 cardiac heart monitors with pacemaker, defibrillator and 12-lead capabilities.  Tri-Community also started providing automatic ALS mutual aid to Shawnee Fire Company.

Real-time response data!

2008  -  Tri-Community Ambulance began using IAMRESPONDING.COM for electronic scheduling and response planning.  With the advent of IAMRESPONDING, Tri-Community was able to get rid of our old log book and calendars for shift planning.  Now members are able to sign up electronically from their home computers, iPAD or smart phone.  Also, when a call is received by Tri-Community, responders can now call into our 800 number or use the mobile app to advise they are responding and for what unit.

Tri-Community welcomes twins!

2010  -  Tri-Community has reinvested again!  We purchased two twin ambulances to replace our aging Ambulance 331 (1995) and Ambulance 332 (1997).  These twin rigs were dedicated in memory of Joe Emmons (Ambulance 331) and Jeff Gerbec (Ambulance 332).

A new age in patient care reporting

2012  -  Tri-Community upgraded from paper patient care reports to electronic care reports.  Each ambulance is equipped with a Toughbook computer that the charts are completed on and then the report is sent electronically to the hospital.

Reinvestment...new heart monitors

2013  -  Tri-Community purchased 4 brand new Lifepak 15 Heart Monitors to replace our current Lifepak 12 Heart Monitors. 

Out with the old, in with the new

2014  -  Tri-Community Ambulance was proud to have paid off our building mortgage.  Also, during this year we replaced our aging ALS Flycar with a new 2014 Chevy Tahoe.

Responder and patient safety advances

2015  -  Tri-Community purchased 3 power lift stretchers and 3 load systems for our fleet.  With this added technology, our patients and crew members alike have the added safety when transporting, loading and unloading patients while our crews benefit with reduced possibility of back injuries.

2017 and beyond


Most people would say they are uncertain of their future.  At Tri-Community we know our future is certain...and the road could never be more clear!  Tri-Community will continue to provide the high level quality and service that our residents depend upon.  Tri-Community is prepared now and is prepared for the future to continue our mission of "neighbors helping neighbors".  Tri-Community continues to operate as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that does not have to answer to shareholders.  We simply look to ensure quality service in our hometowns.

Tri-Community is grateful for our fire companies and our responders that make up an excellent care delivery team that ensures high level customer service to our patients in their time of need.