After a scheduling glitch in January, a public hearing to formalize a paid ambulance authority in Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge is back on the books.
The meeting will be March 25 at the Brackenridge American Legion.
“We encourage residents to come out, listen, ask questions and help us think through the future of EMS in our community,” Tarentum Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said.
Local government officials have been working nearly two years on the formation of the Alle-Kiski Emergency Service Authority which, they said, would combat the current, unsustainable model.
The paid authority would merge Eureka Community Ambulance in Tarentum and Citizens Hose EMS in Harrison. Residents of member communities would share costs, initially estimated at about $85 a year, or $7 a month. Costs have not been finalized.
The annual fee, combined with insurance reimbursements, would support the operating budget of the new authority. There is room in the future to add municipalities to the mix, Boddorf said.
Eureka and Citizens each face rising costs, declining reimbursements and critical staffing shortages.
Officials have said repeatedly that EMS will not survive if crews continue to struggle with inconsistent funding and dwindling volunteerism.
The public hearing will include the appointment of authority board members, who can then begin to formalize billing processes and operational details.
Residents can learn more about the paid authority at allekiskiemergency.org.
