By Richard Gazarik
Tribune-Review
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Mt. Pleasant Mayor Jerry Lucia said a request from council for an investigation into the borough’s ambulance service does not involve allegations of wrongdoing.
Lucia said yesterday that council asked Westmoreland County detectives to review Medic 10’s financial records after the service changed from a volunteer force to a paid ambulance service.
He said council requested the investigation on Feb. 11 as a precautionary move because of the financial switch.
Lucia said council oversees the ambulance service and owns all of Medic 10’s assets, including the building, ambulances and equipment.
“We asked the county to send a detective to go over the finances that were given us,” Lucia said. “We wanted to review the audits and pay scales of all employees they use now.”
He said there didn’t appear to be any criminality involved in the financial reports that council reviewed.
Mike Brajdich, chief of county detectives, declined to say specifically what his investigators are examining.
“We’ve been requested by Mt. Pleasant Borough Council to review the financial records of Medic 10 for any irregularities. We’re in the process of reviewing the financial records and bylaws of that organization,” he said.
District Attorney John Peck will issue a statement on the findings once the probe is completed, Brajdich said.
Lucia said an audit of the ambulance service revealed the organization last year spent $50,000 on food, which included money spent on an annual banquet. He said that amount raised some eyebrows on council.
He said the organization keeps food, coffee and soft drinks at the station for ambulance crews.
“That was a little out of line,” Lucia added. “That’s an expense we normally wouldn’t approve if it was that high.”
Medic 10 has been in existence since 1976. It has grown from a handful of volunteers to a staff of 23 employees, according to its website. Its new chief, Al Dawson, could not be reached for comment.
Medic 10 serves the borough, Mt. Pleasant Township and neighboring areas.
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