Andy Close
PLEASANT, TWP, Pa.- City of Warren and Pleasant Township officials discussed the future of EMS response between the city and municipality during Tuesday’s township meeting.
The city and Pleasant Township were previously in a pilot program, which expired at the end of 2020.
“Fundamentally the state requires EMS services to constituencies within its jurisdiction,” said City of Warren Mayor Dave Wortman. “Warren has also been responding in a number of ways to Pleasant, but is no longer in a financial situation to do so without reimbursement and we would like to have a discussion on that. We come here as good neighbors and have worked together for a lot of years and are intent to open up a conversation to lead to a cooperative management agreement.”
City of Warren Fire Chief Dave Krogler explained that the city has responded to an average of 120 calls per year in Pleasant Township over the last three years.
“The average cost per EMS call is $817.12,” Krogler explained. “In 2021, the average revenue received from insurance and patients resulted in a negative $485.12 per ambulance call. The biggest issue is with staffing and manpower and having staff there 24/7. That taxpayers are paying for that service and the municipalities have no contribution to that.”
Krogler also sympathized with the strain put on local volunteer fire departments.
“Economic and social lives have changed, and the demand on volunteers has increased,” he said.
Added Wortman: “We’re fundamentally asking municipalities to take a look at it from their perspective because we can’t continue to cover the deficits.”
Pleasant Township Supervisor Bucky Knapp got straight to the point.
“What do you want from us here, Nancy?” Knapp asked of City Manager Nancy Freenock. “Do you want us to pay by the call or make a yearly donation?”
Freenock expressed hope for a mutual agreement.
“We want something that will work for both of us,” Freenock explained. “We just want something that is equitable and fair. We’re seeking your input and ideas with how you govern. We just want something that works for everybody. We haven’t really come up with a number. Every township is different because call volume is different.”
Township officials expressed the desire for several different proposals, to which the city agreed.
Freenock said the city would put together proposals in the near future to present to the township
