MECCA — Township trustees have entered into emergency medical service agreements with Cortland and Bazetta officials.

The EMS contracts will take effect Thursday.

Mecca trustee chairwoman Christen Clemson said the agreements ensure that all residents and visitors of Mecca will continue to receive prompt, professional emergency medical response.

Under the terms of the contracts, the Cortland Fire Department will provide coverage to the east side of Mosquito Lake, while the Bazetta Fire Department will handle emergency calls originating on the west side of the lake.

Clemson said the partnership is designed to deliver the fastest possible response times across Mecca, utilizing each department’s proximity, training and state-of-the-art equipment.

“These agreements reflect our outgoing commitment to public safety and to ensuring every resident of Mecca has access to the highest standard of emergency medical care. By partnering with both Cortland and Bazetta, we can supplement the efforts of our Mecca Volunteer Fire Department to provide dependable, timely service with well-trained responders 24 hours per day, seven days a week,” Clemson said.

Cortland Mayor Deidre Petrosky said, “We are truly pleased to be part of this partnership that ensures our neighbors in Mecca Township receive reliable EMS service anytime, day or night.”

Mecca trustee Greg Chopko said Mecca officials evaluated several alternatives for optimizing EMS coverage before seeking partnerships with Cortland and Bazetta,

“Our goal is to provide the fastest response time with highly trained responders using the best equipment at a cost our residents can afford. Cortland and Bazetta both have outstanding fire departments with capacity to quickly respond to calls in Mecca,” Chopko said.

He said with Mosquito Lake running directly through the center of Mecca, it is difficult for a single fire station to provide quick response time to all areas of the township.

Mecca officials said they will continue to evaluate EMS performances and response data throughout the year to ensure optimal service delivery for the community.

The Mecca Volunteer Fire Department is also working to expand its ranks and is actively seeking new members. Officials said training is provided at no cost and no prior experience is required.

Many volunteers go on to pursue paid firefighting or EMS careers in neighboring communities while continuing to serve locally. Interested applicants can contact the department at 330-637-3436.