Officials trying to start a regional, paid EMS service are hoping a new website explaining the plans will bolster public involvement in the creation of the service.
The authority will cover Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum and aims to continue 24/7 ambulance service by merging Eureka Community Ambulance in Tarentum and Citizens Hose EMS in Harrison, both of which face financial struggles and recruitment issues.
“This is intended to be a community-driven solution, and it only succeeds with meaningful community involvement,” Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf said.
The website, allekiskiemergency.org, is a one-stop source for background on the Alle-Kiski Emergency Services Authority, expected to be authorized during a special meeting Jan. 14.
“Ahead of the meeting, we’ll continue pointing people to the website as a central, easy-to-access place for accurate information, and we’ll emphasize that the public meeting is the best opportunity for dialogue and input,” Boddorf said.
The special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Highlands High School.
The authority would be funded by a combination of insurance reimbursements and an annual fee paid by property owners in the three communities.
A bill of about $85 is expected for each property but the amount has not been finalized. People who rent would not be charged unless property owners pass along the fee.
Before the fee is enacted, the authority is legally required to hold a public hearing so residents can review the proposed services and costs and provide comments.
Community involvement is important, officials said, because many of the details of the plan have yet to be determined. The website aims to give residents as much information as possible so they can participate at future meetings, when details will be hammered out.
Operational details, including billing, collections and the handling of existing payments or contributions would be determined by the authority once it is established.
If approved, operations could begin in the fall.
The formation of an ambulance authority began more than a year ago after Citizens and Eureka brought their concerns to local governments. The current model is unsustainable, chiefs of both services have said.
Without a new approach, EMS service to 18,000 local residents is at risk, they said.
The move remedies funding gaps, speeds up response time and helps provide steady staffing.
Ambulance authorities, which act like a sewer or water authority, could be the norm for EMS moving forward, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Ambulance agencies across the state face challenges including rising operating costs, staffing shortages and limited insurance reimbursements.
Harrison Township Manager Amy Rockwell said the authority represents a coordinated framework to deliver long-term and reliable emergency medical services.
Since its launch, officials have already seen a fair amount of traffic to the website.
“That tells us people are looking for information and taking the time to learn about the proposal,” Boddorf said.
“That’s really why next week’s meeting is so important. We’re strongly encouraging residents from all three communities to attend, ask questions and share their perspectives.”
