FRILLS CORNERS - When the Shippenville/Elk Ambulance Service announced it was ceasing operations at the end of January 2023, it left a number of municipalities without an ambulance service, including Washington Township.
The Washington Township Board of Supervisors Nov. 10 discussed its options on designating an ambulance service.
Washington Township Fire Chief Shane Smerkar said the township could go a couple different ways when Shippenville/Elk ends its service.
"I would suggest the majority of the township be covered by the Knox Ambulance Service," Smerkar said. "They are a little more available than the Clarion Hospital EMS right now. The Clarion Hospital ambulances do a lot of interfacility transfers leaving them without ambulances quite often. Knox Ambulance (rarely does) transfers and when they do it is for patients with memberships with the service so it is few and far between."
Smerkar also made mention of possibly approaching the Tionesta Ambulance Service.
Smerkar said he believed Washington Township did have an agreement with the Tionesta service in the past but wasn't sure why it stopped.
Borough Secretary Jacqui Blose stated the Tionesta Ambulance Service had changed its structure and became an ambulance authority and they have become a multi-municipal authority. Blose believes there are six townships in Forest County as well as Tionesta Borough which belong to the authority.
Board President Mark Beichner and Vice President Eric Bauer suggested Smerkar approach both the Knox and Tionesta Ambulance services about serving Washington Township and then give a full report of his findings at the supervisors December meeting.
Smerkar also informed the supervisors he had applied for a license through the Pennsylvania Department of Health to start a quick response service (QRS) through the fire department which would assist on ambulance calls. He said the service would start when the department gets the equipment and it gets inspected by the Department of Health.
According to Smerkar, the only drawback so far is staffing. Smerkar said it was just he and his brother had agreed to part of the service so far.
Smerkar said one of the volunteer firefighters is taking emergency medical training classes and Smerkar hopes there will be three EMTs on the staff.
The QRS license is good for three years and Smerkar said after three years, they will evaluate and see if it is feasible to continue.
Blose said Smerkar would need to contact the township's insurance carrier to make sure the service is fully covered.
Prior to the meeting's adjournment, Supervisor Kevin McCauley asked about the status of the road signs to alert drivers the township's roads allow ATV traffic.
Township Roadmaster William Seitz told the board the cost would be $37 per sign and $29 per posts with fasteners. Seitz said the township would need 113 signs for its roads but would be able to use some existing poles to place the signs on. The total estimated cost for the signs is $7,458.
The township still needs its legal counsel to draft an ordinance to place the signs on its roads. Moreover, the ordinance will have to be on display to the public before the supervisors can vote to purchase and erect the signs.
In other business, the board:
4Approved the 2023 budget with no tax increase.
4Approved the purchase of four new tires from Chris's Tire in Shippenville for the International truck at a cost of $698 per tire.
4Approved the purchase of 1,000 tons of skid from Allegheny Mineral at a cost of $24.90 per ton plus costs and surcharges.
