Ambulance stationed in Jeannette again, at least temporarily

An ambulance is once again stationed in Jeannette, at least temporarily.

A Mutual Aid EMS ambulance has been based out of city hall and the fire station for about nine days. Its previous home in that part of the county — the old Rescue 14 ambulance station on Edna Road in Hempfield — is for sale.

Ken Bacha, director of community outreach at Mutual Aid, said he was approached by Jeannette fire Chief Bill Frye and Councilman Chad Krawtz about having an ambulance based in the city.

“They absolutely bent over backwards to accommodate us,” Bacha said.

Both Frye and Krawtz said Tuesday they are happy so far with the arrangement.

“For us, it’s a better response time because they’re right in the middle of the city,” Krawtz said.

“It’s what’s best for public safety,” Frye said.

Mutual Aid is not paying the city anything for the arrangement, but an employee does use secure office space inside city hall. Jeannette pays Mutual Aid $12,000 annually. They’re the only municipality of 32 in Westmoreland and Fayette counties served by Mutual Aid that contributes anything toward the Greensburg-based ambulance service’s operations.

It’s the first time an ambulance has been based in Jeannette since July when Jeannette EMS abruptly closed its doors. Officials pointed to insufficient funding and low insurance reimbursement rates as reasons for the closure after 63 years in operation. A bankruptcy case is pending.

For now, the Mutual Aid ambulance has been parking in a short driveway in front of the fire truck garage. An ambulance employee will be relocated inside city hall after Councilman Chuck Highlands brought up privacy and confidentiality concerns at council’s Tuesday meeting.

Mutual Aid is requesting a $250 donation from each of the municipalities it serves to help fund EMS Week activities later this month. Bacha said the donations will go toward meals for the staff during that week, as well as drawings and raffles.

“These are the people that provide the service for their areas,” he said.

Jeannette council members declined to put the matter on its agenda for Thursday’s voting meeting. Highlands and Mayor Curtis Antoniak balked, pointing to the $12,000 Jeannette gives them in addition to allowing the ambulance space at city hall. Councilwoman Michelle Langdon suggested taking up a collection among city employees.

The former Rescue 14 ambulance station was put up for sale after discussions over the past year with Mutual Aid, which had been paying rent there, fell through, said Adamsburg Fire Department President Ken Wees. It is listed at $345,000. The department got control of the building after Rescue 14 closed in 2021 and merged with Mutual Aid.

Wees is requesting the property be rezoned as a commercial building. A hearing on that request is set for May 14 at the Hempfield municipal building.