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K 1541

Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Mercy Flight Central's Service to Oneida County

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Marianne Buttenschon

Commends Mercy Flight Central for 10 years of life-saving air medical service, highlighting its 24/7 operations, community partnerships, and impact in Oneida County and the Mohawk

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Bill Summary · K 1541

Summary of Bill

Bill and Purpose

  • Bill: Assembly Resolution No. 1541 (K 1541)
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Title: Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Mercy Flight Central's Service to Oneida County
  • Sponsor: Assembly Member Buttenschon (co-sponsor: Marianne Buttenschon)
  • Purpose: To officially recognize and commemorate Mercy Flight Central’s 10 years of service to Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley, highlighting its role in providing life-saving critical care air transportation and its partnerships with local agencies and healthcare providers.

Key Provisions

  • Official Recognition: The resolution commends Mercy Flight Central for its decade-long commitment to public safety, health, and well-being in New York State, particularly in Oneida County.
  • Summary of Mercy Flight Central’s History:
    • Founded as a non-profit in 1992.
    • Has served more than 18,000 patients.
    • Employees: more than 70.
    • Began as an advanced life support (ALS) air ambulance service and expanded to its current high-quality air medical service.
  • Rome Base Announcement:
    • In June 2016, Mercy Flight Central established its Rome base at Griffiss International Airport to improve rapid-response capabilities for Oneida County and nearby communities.
  • Operational Details:
    • Flight crews include flight nurses, flight paramedics, pilots, mechanics, dispatchers, and support personnel.
    • Operates 24/7 (every day of the year) to ensure rapid response to emergencies.
  • Community and Partnership Emphasis:
    • Recognizes Mercy Flight Central as an indispensable partner to local emergency medical services, fire departments, law enforcement, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.
    • Highlights its role in providing access to trauma, cardiac, stroke, and specialty care centers.
    • Acknowledges partnerships with Oneida County, local municipalities, emergency service providers, healthcare institutions, and community supporters.
  • Observance Details:
    • The 10th-anniversary celebration is planned to begin on Friday, June 26, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Rome base, hosted by the Utica Chamber of Commerce.
    • The weekend event schedule includes “Celebrating Service: A Grateful Patient Event,” aimed at bringing together patients, families, healthcare workers, and community leaders to reflect on Mercy Flight Central’s impact and partnerships.
  • Legislative Intent:
    • The resolution pauses the Legislature’s deliberations to commemorate Mercy Flight Central’s service and to honor its ongoing commitment to critical care air transportation.
    • A suitably engrossed copy of the resolution will be transmitted to Mercy Flight Central.

Who Is Affected

  • Mercy Flight Central and its Rome base staff, patients, and families.
  • Oneida County and Mohawk Valley emergency medical services, fire departments, law enforcement, hospitals, and healthcare providers that partner with Mercy Flight Central.
  • Local government entities and community organizations involved in public safety and healthcare infrastructure.
  • The broader community benefiting from improved access to rapid air medical transport and specialized care.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Introduction: June 1, 2026.
  • Scheduled observance: Commences with a ribbon-cutting on June 26, 2026, at the Rome base.
  • Purpose: Non-binding commemorative resolution recognizing contributions and partnerships; recommends no new statutory obligations or funding mandates.

Potential Impact

  • Public acknowledgment of Mercy Flight Central’s contributions may bolster community support and awareness of air medical transport services.
  • May strengthen existing partnerships with local agencies and healthcare providers.
  • Serves as a formal historical record of the organization’s 10-year impact in Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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