Auburn is one step and less than 30 days away from gaining control over its own ambulance service.

The Central New York Regional Emergency Medical Services Council approved Tuesday the city's application for a permanent certificate of operation. Now, the application will have to undergo a 30-day review with the state health department in Albany before receiving final approval.

The city first applied in 2005 to have temporary operating authority after officials noticed what they considered to be a decline in ambulance service. At the time, Rural Metro Medical Services was the provider. In 2006, the city was granted temporary control and entered into a two-year contract with TLC Emergency Medical Services. That contract is up in April.

City officials have stated on numerous occasions that they plan to continue contracting with TLC.

The transition has not taken place without resistance. During a February public hearing, representatives from Rural Metro issued a lengthy written statement to the EMS Council's Review and Comment Committee. The statement disputed a number of claims made in the city's application for its operating certificate.

However, Auburn Fire Chief Mike Hammon said in a written statement Wednesday that this effort is based on what is best for the community, not the needs of a publicly traded entity.

"The permanent operating authority will assure that the elected officials and professional staff of the city will locally control the delivery of emergency services to our community," Hammon stated.