Ambulance authority inching forward to relieve Eureka, Citizens from financial burden

Local EMS funding issues could be on a path to health by early next year.

A steering committee continues to inch forward with plans for an emergency medical services authority to serve East Deer, Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum.

“All that has been approved at this point is the four communities participating in the study to put together an authority if it’s feasible,” East Deer Commissioner Tony Taliani said.

“There’s no word that we’re definitely committing, but we’re moving in that direction to finally solve this EMS issue.”

Ambulance services across the state are in crisis because of inconsistent funding from local, state and federal sources, along with paltry insurance reimbursements of between 30% to 60% for calls. Low pay and rigorous training credentials also have hindered recruitment.

Locally, the four communities have come together to resolve the burden shouldered by first responders at Eureka Community Ambulance Service in Tarentum and Citizens EMS in Harrison.

Both companies are 88 years old and are struggling to attract younger volunteers.

Eureka responds to more than 2,300 calls a year in Tarentum, Brackenridge, East Deer and Fawn.

Chief Brad James said the situation has hit crisis level, not just here but across the state. He said the only way forward is to share services.

If approved, the authority would bill member communities much like a water or sewer authority. It would allow volunteers to shift attention from fundraising to training and operations.

Citizens EMS Supervisor Jim Erb said the authority would be a game-changer. His crew responds to about 1,500 calls a year and makes 1,200 transports.

The steering committee last week took a leap forward by requesting authorization to share consulting and legal fees.

Total costs of up to $32,500 would be split based on population as follows:

• Brackenridge, with a population of about 3,200, would pay $5,400;

• East Deer, population of about 1,500, would pay $2,500;

• Harrison, population of 10,100, would pay $17,100;

• Tarentum, population of about 4,300, would pay $7,300.

Costs cover about 50 hours of work from legal and expert counsel.

The funding is essential to ensure the authority’s legal and operational viability, Tarentum Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said.

“We are actively pursuing grant opportunities to offset costs,” he said. “However, the proposed cost-sharing agreement ensures we can proceed without delay.”

Once this phase is complete, the steering committee will make a formal recommendation regarding the structure and feasibility of the authority.

The decision to move forward with forming an EMS authority will rely on buy-in from each municipality, Boddorf said.

Since summer, the committee has met every two weeks to gather data on finances, equipment, training and more.

Taliani said next steps would be voting on whether an authority would be viable.

“The authority will set up a program as to how EMS will be funded and each community would have representation on authority board,” Taliani said.

“We’re moving in the right direction.”