Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Western Area Volunteer Emergency Service Inc

EIN 23-7442271 · Camillus, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WESTERN AREA VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES, INC. (WAVES) IS A COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDER OF EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT MAINTAINS THE DUTY TO EARN THE CONFIDENCE, TRUST AND RESPECT OF THOSE WE SERVE BY PROVIDING DEDICATED, COMPASSIONATE AND COURTEOUS EXPERT CARE WHEREVER WE ARE NEEDED. THE MISSION OF WAVES IS FULFILLED THROUGH TEAMWORK, EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP. CLINICAL EXCELLENCE IS COMBINED WITH COURAGE, INTEGRITY AND DILIGENCE TO CULTIVATE A MASTERY OF THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE. WAVES WILL SERVE AS THE LEADING PROVIDER OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BY:1 - CREATING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR MEMBERS THAT FOSTERS LEARNING AND PROMOTES TEAM BUILDING.2 - PROVIDING UNCOMPROMISING CARE UTILIZING ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES.3 - PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATION TO OUR MEMBERS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.4 - SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE BY MAINTAINING A STRONG PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY EVENTS.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
57
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$149,980, paramedic

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $2.8 million spent. WAVES' AMBULANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES AMBULANCE SERVICES SUCH AS PRE-HOSPITAL CARE FOR SICK AND INJURED PERSONS IN THE TOWN OF CAMILLUS, ONONDAGA COUNTY AND CENTRAL NEW YORK; AND TRANSPORTS TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. WE ALSO MAINTAIN A FACILITY THAT STORES OUR VEHICLES AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
  2. $24,960 spent. WAVES' PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION IN FIRST AID, CPR, PALS, ACLS, BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS, HAZARDOUS COMMUNICATIONS, BABYSITTING CLASSES AND PET FIRST AID ALONG WITH RAISING SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME FOR THE AMBULANCE PROGRAM AND OPERATIONS. WAVES ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE NYS DOH EMS CME RECERTIFICATION PROGRAM, WHICH ENTAILS TRAINING OUR PROVIDERS IN ALL CORE DIDACTIC MATERIALS, AND ALL PRACTICAL SKILLS ON A CONTINUING BASIS.
  3. $44,690 spent. WAVES' VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES RELIABLE REPAIR OF WAVES' VEHICLES WHICH IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO PROVIDING TIMELY SERVICES. BY HAVING THE VEHICLES REPAIRED ON SITE, COSTS ARE MINIMIZED BY HAVING A MECHANIC WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH ALL ASPECTS OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND WHO CAN PREVENT FAILURE THROUGH PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1975.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.