Our History
Emergency Medical Services in the Town of Clay and the Moyers Corners Fire District began shortly after the formation of Moyers Corners Fire Department (MCFD) in 1948. Ambulance service began with a hearse-style ambulance and was staffed by volunteer fire fighters. This service progressed through the years. The ambulances were upgraded as necessary and also as donated funding became available. As the population in the Town of Clay increased and fire and ambulance calls multiplied, it became necessary for MCFD to expand and form another branch in their emergency service. This spurred the formation of the Medical Rescue Squad (MRS) in 1980. The Medical Rescue Squad was staffed by 65 volunteers and 2 ambulances. The MRS was funded strictly by donations from the community and received no tax dollars.
As donations leveled off, prices of ambulances and equipment escalated. It became necessary for the Medical Rescue Squad to split from the fire department to enable billing for service. Moyers Corners Medical Rescue Squad became Moyers Corners Ambulance, Inc. (MCA, Inc.) in 1994. Moyers Corners Ambulance, Inc. remained housed by Moyers Corners Fire Dept leasing space until suitable space could be acquired. In 2001, the Moyers Corners Ambulance, Inc. with a staff of 48 volunteer/career personnel and 2 ambulances, moved into the newly constructed ambulance quarters at 4425 Buckley Road. The move prompted a name change within the organization to Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance, Inc. (NOVA). The annual call volume in 2001 was approximately 1350 calls per year. Today, NOVA has 8 ambulances, 2 ALS First Response vehicles, and over 80 career and volunteer staff members. NOVA responds to over 6,000 emergency calls per year. The initial structure housing NOVA has undergone an expansion and remodeling that began in October 2014. The expansion enables the housing of all owned vehicles. It also provides space for training of both staff members and community members.
NOVA and MCFD continue to enjoy an outstanding working relationship. To better serve the community, NOVA posts and staffs an ambulance in fire stations one and three. This keeps response times to a minimum in the licensed response area. NOVA is a highly respected not-for-profit ambulance agency that proudly serves the emergency medical needs of the citizens and businesses within the Town of Clay and surrounding communities.
In 2020, NOVA’s workforce succeeded in unionizing its workplace through CSEA Local 797 to strengthen the organization to continue to provide quality service for years to come.
