Assembly Resolution No. 1541

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

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

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations whose dedication to public service has
enhanced the safety, health, and well-being of the people of the State
of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Mercy Flight Central's service to
Oneida County, and to recognize its decade of providing life-saving
critical care transportation to residents throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, Founded as a non-profit in 1992, Mercy Flight Central has
served more than 18,000 patients with more than 70 employees, beginning
as an advanced life support air ambulance service and expanding to
become the high-quality air medical service it is today; and

WHEREAS, In June of 2016, Mercy Flight Central established its Rome
base at Griffiss International Airport, bringing rapid-response air
medical services directly to the residents of Oneida County and
surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, Mercy Flight Central's highly trained flight crews,
including flight nurses, flight paramedics, pilots, mechanics,
dispatchers, and support personnel, have stood ready twenty-four hours a
day, seven days a week, to respond when every second matters; and

WHEREAS, Mercy Flight Central has become an indispensable partner to
local emergency medical services agencies, fire departments, law
enforcement agencies, hospitals, and healthcare providers, ensuring that
critically ill and seriously injured patients receive rapid access to
specialized medical care; and

WHEREAS, The presence of Mercy Flight Central in Rome has
strengthened emergency response capabilities throughout the Mohawk
Valley, providing a vital lifeline for residents in both rural and urban
communities and helping bridge the distance between patients and
advanced trauma, cardiac, stroke, and specialty care centers; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its decade of service in Oneida County, Mercy
Flight Central has embodied the values of integrity, compassion, and
excellence, earning the trust and gratitude of first responders,
healthcare professionals, public officials, and the countless patients
and families whose lives have been touched by its mission; and

WHEREAS, The success of Mercy Flight Central's Rome operation has
been made possible through strong partnerships with Oneida County, local
municipalities, emergency service providers, healthcare institutions,
and community supporters who recognize the importance of maintaining
access to world-class emergency medical transportation; and

WHEREAS, As Mercy Flight Central celebrates this significant
milestone, it also recognizes the dedicated professionals whose
expertise, courage, and commitment have helped save lives and provide
hope during some of the most challenging moments faced by residents of
the Mohawk Valley; and

WHEREAS, Mercy Flight Central's celebration of 10 years of dedicated
service to Oneida County will begin on Friday, June 26, 2026 with a
ribbon cutting ceremony at their Rome base, hosted by the Utica Chamber
of Commerce, and will continue throughout the weekend, including a
Celebrating Service: A Grateful Patient Event, which aims to bring
together patients, families, healthcare workers, and community leaders
in order to reflect on the impact of their work and the partnerships
that have led to incredible success; and

WHEREAS, The observance of Mercy Flight Central's 10th Anniversary
provides an opportunity to reflect upon a decade of extraordinary
service and to express appreciation for an organization whose mission
has strengthened public safety and healthcare throughout the region;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Mercy Flight Central's service to
Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley and to honor its unwavering
commitment to providing critical care air medical transportation; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mercy Flight Central.