Tawnya Panizzi’s well-written article “Unsustainable funding model, shrinking workforce leave ambulance services in critical condition” (Oct. 8, TribLIVE), detailing the emergency medical services funding crisis across Pennsylvania, brought much-needed attention to a grim reality: Vital, lifesaving mandated EMS will cease to exist without permanent, sustainable funding.
Lower Kiski Ambulance Service is experiencing all of the challenges described in the article — most notably, rising expenses outweighing antiquated insurance reimbursements for services, our primary source of revenue.
While we continue to conduct annual subscription campaigns in Allegheny and Gilpin townships and Hyde Park, Leechburg and West Leechburg boroughs, they do not generate sufficient revenue to ensure ongoing fiscal stability. Historically, only about 23% of residents participate. State and municipal governments don’t provide any sustainable funding.
After serving the community for over 50 years, our continued operations are in serious doubt beyond 2024 without a sustainable funding solution. On behalf of all local EMS providers, I hope the article has made the public — and state and local elected officials — aware that an essential “state-mandated” public service is on the verge of collapse without urgent action.
No one can afford to hide from the issue any longer in the best interest of the health and safety of our communities. If you value the presence of EMS in your life and community, tell your elected officials. Your life or the life of a loved one could be at stake without implementation of a solid EMS statewide and local municipality sustained funding structure.
Dr. Daniel J. Kupas
Allegheny Township
The writer is president of the board of Lower Kiski Ambulance Service.