Pa. City Mulls Booting Fire-Based EMS For Privatization

March 12--EDWARDSVILLE -- Borough officials say they need hard facts and accurate numbers before they'll decide whether to change ambulance providers.

"We're in the information gathering stage right now," Council President David Stochla said after Monday's work session.

The borough's own ambulance service, Edwardsville Volunteer Firemen's Community Ambulance Association, provides basic life support. But under state law, borough officials are also obligated to provide residents with advanced life support.

Since the borough's ambulance company does not offer advanced life support -- although adding it in-house is a potential future option -- officials appoint outside providers.

The main concern is response time. According to council, residents questioned why Edwardsville bypassed Trans-Med Ambulance, located in nearby Luzerne, in favor of ambulance service from Plains Township across the Susquehanna River.

Councilman John Sedeski, who has been researching the deal, said council needs facts -- such as actual response times -- and hard numbers, not rumors and innuendo.

Plains Medic 2 Coordinator Angela Patla defended her organization's response time, noting that "just because someone is in a closer area does not mean it's where they're coming from."

"It really doesn't take us long to get here, with the Cross Valley Expressway. We shoot down Grove Street, boom, we're in Edwardsville," Patla said.

Deputy Fire Chief Frank Slymock asked council to sit down and work things out so "everyone will be happy with the outcome."

For their part, council members promised not to make a decision without consulting the Edwardsville Ambulance Association.

"We know we have to listen to them," Stochla said. "They have facts we don't have."

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