After a 20 year hiatis, an ambulance may be stationed at Girard Fire Department again.
Firefighters and paramedics respond to medical cals now. But they don't have an ambulance to transport the patient.
“Everybody is getting busier — everybody, every year,” Fire Chief Jim Petruzzi told WKBN.
The department responded to 1470 medical-related calls in 2023, and 235 so far this year. It averages out to about 4 per day.
“We have 13 paramedics here who are staffed 24/7, 365. We could do anything you can do in an ambulance, we’re just missing the vehicle and the stretcher to do so,” he explained.
“It’s unrealistic to expect to start this service with two brand-new ambulances. We’ve been researching used vehicles from different brokers throughout the country."
The chief said if the council approves to restore ambulance service, his department will hire part-time employees.
