By Karen Kane
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Copyright 2008 P.G. Publishing Co.
CRANBERRY, Pa. — It wasn’t that long ago when the Cranberry Ambulance Corps was essentially a rural first-responder comprised primarily of volunteers.
Along with the township’s metamorphosis from a farm community to a sleepy suburb to a bustling employment hub, the ambulance company has evolved into a primarily paid-professional service with more than twice the budget and four times the number of calls than it did a decade ago.
More changes are coming as the township continues its steady growth and more residential, retail, office and commercial businesses prepare to set down roots.
It’s time to make a plan for the future. That was the message of the agency’s volunteer board of directors when it approached township officials with a request to partner on a long-range plan.
Township Manager Jerry Andree said the time was right for such a partnership. Earlier this year, the state Legislature passed Act 7 of 2008, clarifying the relationship between municipalities and ambulance services.
“It’s very clear now that there is to be better coordination with the EMS providers,” said Mr. Andree. He said there is now authority for townships to designate what ambulance company will be the primary responder within their community.
Not that there’s ever been any trouble between Cranberry and its emergency medical services agency. “We’ve always heard very good things from our community about the service that is received,” Mr. Andree said.
But, given the changing times, a better plan for the future is needed.
That’s why Cranberry supervisors voted unanimously June 5 to pay $3,900 for an “organizational review” that will look at the ambulance service and make determinations about how its future should unfold.
J.R. Henry, an EMS consultant from West View who managed the emergency services agency there and in Ross for two decades, has been hired for the work. The study is to be done next month.
Representing the township in the process will be Assistant Township Manager Bettelou Bertoncello and Public Safety Director Jeff Schueler, who leads the township’s police department and works closely with the volunteer fire company.
Cranberry Ambulance Corps has a budget of slightly more than $1 million. Mr. Andree said the figure 10 years ago was about 40 percent of what it is today.
The service averages about 4,120 service calls annually, including emergency and non-emergency transports. Ten years ago, the number of annual calls averaged about 1,100, according to statistics maintained by the service.
The service was founded in 1969 as part of the township’s fire department. It has 32 paid employees, including 12 who are full-time, and six volunteers.