01/23/2026
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Several Western New York EMS organizations and councils are asking local EMS agencies to help share the following message:
Emergency Departments across Western New York are currently at or near capacity due to a very high volume of respiratory illnesses, including influenza and other respiratory viruses.
Residents are encouraged to follow CDC and New York State guidance regarding influenza and respiratory illness prevention and precautions.
🚑 Important to know:
Ambulances are experiencing extended delays at hospitals, often waiting long periods of time for patients to receive a bed. These delays directly impact ambulance availability for true life-threatening emergencies.
Please consider these alternatives to calling 911 when appropriate:
• Contact your primary care provider
• Use urgent care centers for non-life-threatening conditions
• Utilize telehealth / virtual doctor visits
• Call your doctor’s after-hours line
• Seek guidance from a nurse advice hotline, if available through your insurance
⚠️ HOWEVER — and this is very important:
If you are experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, altered mental status, or any medical emergency — CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
➡️ If you are unsure whether you should call 911, please do.
We would always rather respond and help than have someone hesitate during a true emergency.
🙏 Thank you for helping support our healthcare system and emergency responders during this extremely busy time. Please stay safe and take care of one another.