Leaders hope local EMS authority could ensure service in Tarentum, neighboring towns

Small-scale donations are rolling in to help sustain operations at Eureka Community Ambulance Service in Tarentum, enough that Chief Brad James is feeling hopeful about the future of EMS.

“They’re not going to keep the doors open, but it’s nice to have the support,” James said.

His department this year announced it might be forced to close without a consistent funding stream from municipal, state and federal agencies.

“The EMS crisis is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “To get the insurance reimbursements fixed is a serious problem that we need to get the government to turn a corner on.”

Insurance companies pay EMS providers only up to 60% of what they spend to care for patients. Often, it’s a lot less. James cited a recent bill where they charged $900 but got paid $300.

To do what they can locally to ensure continued EMS service, Eureka and Citizens EMS in Harrison are laying the groundwork for a merger.

“The only way for us to survive is for EMS to share services,” James said.

In August, officials revealed that Eureka and Citizens are in talks to consolidate. Both companies are 88 years old.

Citizens Chief Jim Erb said it is “absolutely the time” for the merger. His crew responds to about 1,500 calls a year, making 1,200 transports.

The groups are weighing the benefits of forming an ambulance authority that would bill member communities. So far, Harrison, Tarentum, Brackenridge and East Deer have joined.

“This would be a game-­changer,” Erb said. “The authority is a way for both departments to ensure good quality and professional services for the next 50 years or more.”

Meetings about forming an ambulance authority are every two weeks, with the next one scheduled for Sept. 25 in Harrison. They are not open to the public yet, but Erb said residents will be invited at some point to ask questions and provide input.

“It’s been very productive,” he said. “It will take a while with all the moving parts to make this happen, but it’s been smart to keep these meetings going.”

The EMS crisis is not just a local issue. Services across the state are warning of cutbacks and closures if the state can’t find a way to boost funding.

On Monday, EMS Southwest in Greene County announced it would scale back operations to mutual aid on weekdays. Director Richard Policz sent a notice to municipal leaders that the group would no longer take 911 calls and communities would have to find new providers.

“We’re fortunate around here that, if we’re busy, someone else can answer within minutes,” Erb said. “You get out to rural parts of the state, and you might wait 45 minutes for an ambulance.”

James said emergency services’ financial struggles have been festering for a decade.

“We are actually part of the problem,” he said. “We always say, ‘If you call, we’ll be there.’

“We haven’t sounded enough of the alarm.”

Tarentum historian Cindy Homburg and Diamonds Antiques owner Dianna Roney are fearful that Eureka will be forced to close if a funding solution isn’t found. They spearheaded a summer fundraiser, a 50-50 raffle based on the Pennsylvania lottery that brought in $2,500.

Half was supposed to benefit Eureka, but the winner of the raffle — Eureka Rescue Capt. Susan Clark’s cat, Kidd — donated its half back to the EMS.

“Kidd might get a few extra treats this week,” James said, smiling.

Roney said she was ecstatic that the quirky outcome meant double the money for the ambulance service.

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

A call for donations yields only about 18% return each year.

“I’m so upset that they’re not getting the support they need,” Roney said.

Homburg added: “They can’t just ‘wait and see’ too much longer. They need the help now.”

An emergency provider for four decades, James said he appreciates the swell of community support lately.

“We have seen some minor improvements,” he said. “I feel positive.”