A different ambulance company is servicing White Plains and Mount Vernon after an existing ambulance company suddenly stopped operating, prompting safety concerns.

Citing financial issues, TransCare ceased operations on Wednesday in those cities. The company filed for bankruptcy protection after attempts at months of restructuring failed, according to officials.

"We knew they were having financial difficulties," said White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong.

The municipalities contacted Yonkers-based Empress Emergency Medical Services to see whether it could fill the void left by TransCare. Empress, which has hired nearly 70 TransCare employees, now has a 90-day emergency contract with White Plains and Mount Vernon.

"The same amount of personnel that were on the streets at all times with TransCare is the same amount of personnel that's on the streets right now with Empress," said Chong.

Empress took over in New Rochelle in January after the city ended its service with TransCare. 

Mount Pleasant is using Westchester EMS to meet its ambulance needs.