McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority board expanding its reach

Residents of Bradford Woods, Marshall and Pine now can apply to serve on the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority board.

The seven-member board consists of five representatives from the Town of McCandless and two from Franklin Park, the municipalities that contribute the majority of funding for the nonprofit service.

The ambulance authority also serves Bradford Woods, Marshall and Pine, each of which provides varying amounts of financial contributions on an annual basis reflective of size and service calls.

McCandless council approved a motion at its Nov. 11 meeting to allow two of its five seats controlled by McCandless to be potentially filled by residents from the other three municipalities. The opportunity to apply to fill board seats is effective immediately, said John Schwend, McCandless town manager.

Two seats will continue to be for Franklin Park residents.

Municipal managers in Bradford Woods, Marshall and Pine were notified that the opportunity would be coming, and if they were interested in advertising or suggesting candidates for the positions to do so, Schwend said.

Jason Singer, McCandless council president said the idea was cleared by the solicitors for the town and for the MFPAA.

“I think it’s a great way to bring those other municipalities and give them skin in the game. It promotes more of putting the best person forward on the board. It really opens the pool of applicants up,” Singer said.

The appointment process and control of its seats will remain with McCandless Town Council, according to Schwend.

Currently, there are two seats that need to be filled, a full term beginning Jan. 1 and a second seat to fill a vacancy for a term that expires Dec. 31, 2025.

“We have advertised for applicants and currently have received none. We have readvertised for applicants with a Nov. 30 deadline, as well,” said Schwend.

McCandless council member Patricia Cloonan noted all the board members thus far have made effective contributions.

“We have had some really great people on the authority. I want to make that clear. It’s not from lack from talent,” she said.