By David O’connor
Intelligencer Journal/New Era
LANCASTER, Pa. — Manheim Township fire officials have identified some “service gaps” in their protection.
And they have a plan to help fill them.
Township fire leaders proposed Tuesday to offer “supplemental services,” including stationing an extra ambulance at a township fire station.
Manheim Township Ambulance Association would remain the primary service provider for EMS responses in the township.
The fire officials’ offer aims to help the ambulance association with the call volume in the township.
Manheim Township commissioners heard the presentation Tuesday night but made no decisions about the offer.
The ambulance association is one of the finest organizations in Lancaster County and provides a high level of service, township fire Chief Rick Kane said.
Township ambulance crews responded to 89 percent of the 3,711 incidents requiring EMS services for a recent yearlong period.
For the other 11 percent, nearby ambulances that have agreements with Manheim Township answered the call.
Kane, in his presentation to the Manheim Township commissioners, said the fire service is simply offering to be available to answer that other 11 percent of the ambulance calls if the ambulance association can’t.
The fire department “is interested in working with our public safety partners to try and cover those gaps,” Kane said.
Township fire officials said the next step is to meet with the ambulance association to review the supplemental service proposal.
“All parties must be involved in an open dialogue to make the proposal work,” Kane said.
The move is designed to provide better service and safety for residents, and the township ambulance will remain the primary EMS provider, Kane emphasized.
The additional ambulance, if the township commissioners approve the fire department’s offer, would be housed at the Neffsville fire station.
The ambulance association, 1820 Municipal Drive, is an independent nonprofit organization that provides both emergency and nonemergency medical care to nearby residents.
The association has been serving the community since 1971 without tax support and has a budget of $1.1 million a year.
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