West Deer foots bill for $203,000 ambulance

While ambulance services across the state struggle to stay afloat, West Deer EMS just got a life-saving lift.

The township is footing the bill for the group’s $203,000 ambulance, delivered to the East Union Road station on Tuesday.

Chief Bill Humes knows how significant it is.

“There’s only so much money to go around,” Humes said. “I want to keep the staff as well paid as possible and, if you have to take from the fund for equipment and other expenses, that isn’t possible.

“This purchase is a huge weight off our shoulders.”

The EMS has an all-paid staff of 32 people.

Township Supervisor Josh Wiegand supported the purchase because, he said, it’s important to support the local ambulance service when many others are struggling to maintain operations.

Since 2018, the township has increased its donation to EMS by 354% — from $33,000 to $150,000 budgeted in 2025.

The township took ownership of the ambulance station and is responsible for maintenance, which could include a new roof next year. The annual funding also pays for fuel, insurance and now, the new ambulance.

Township Manager Daniel Mator said the municipality and the EMS have a mutually beneficial and supportive relationship. Members of the board met with Humes last year to review EMS financial reports and chart a plan for long-term sustainability.

“We analyzed areas where the township could contribute,” Mator said. “The township is not really able to get involved in operations — we are laypeople when it comes to emergency medical services, and they are a separate nonprofit entity — but capital improvements are something with which we are able to assist.”

Humes said the municipal involvement helps combat routinely low insurance reimbursements of less than 60% that most agencies deal with.

Last year, Jeannette EMS closed after 63 years. It filed to liquidate its holdings under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code this fall while the station on South Sixth Street sits dark.

Officials blamed insufficient funding and low insurance reimbursements at the time of closing.

This year, Eureka Community Ambulance in Tarentum announced it would be forced to close or curtail operations without a viable funding source.

Eureka joined consolidation talks with Citizens Hose EMS in Harrison, and a steering committee is investigating plans for an EMS authority that would bill member communities, much like a water or sewer authority.

Wiegand said West Deer’s commitment to purchase the ambulance is a no-brainer.

“It’s a valuable investment to ensure our ambulance is available,” he said.

The new ambulance will be the third vehicle in full-time rotation for West Deer EMS, up from two.

It’s important since the agency saw its calls climb 42% this year after assuming full responsibility for calls to a portion of Indiana Township when Seneca Area EMS closed last Jan. 1.

The group responds to about 3,200 calls a year.

Humes said he hopes to stay on a replacement schedule of every seven years. This is the second purchase in the past two years and the vehicle is identical to one bought in 2022.

“It’s the first time in 20 years we’ve had twin ambulances,” he said. “It’s huge for the staff because the equipment is all in the same spot. There’s no thinking about where things are.”

In coming weeks, work is expected to start on the group’s permanent substation at the Indiana Township municipal building. The project aims to reduce call times since taking over for Seneca.

A section of Town Hall, at 3710 Saxonburg Blvd., will be retrofitted to house crews to serve a high-volume, high-population area of the township.

“Everyone is working together to make sure things work well,” Humes said.

“Ambulance purchases are the second largest cost we have, other than a new station. With the township buying it, I’m able to take money we’ve had to set aside for capital savings and invest it back into our people.”