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W.Va. ambulance service shuts down due to rising costs, staffing challenges

St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service will shut down at the end of March, leaving Wood County officials to ensure continued EMS coverage

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Ambulances belonging to St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service.

St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service/Facebook

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service will shut down operations at the end of March, stating financial challenges as the primary reason for the closure.

In a press release, company President Dwane Weekley stated that stagnant Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements have failed to keep pace with rising operational costs, forcing the difficult decision after months of deliberation, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reported.

The company’s expenses include personnel wages, liability coverage, fuel and the cost of medications and equipment. Additionally, uncollected billing has grown significantly, with contracted transport costs exceeding $500,000 annually.

As a for-profit business, St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service is ineligible for state or federal grants, including CARES Act funding and other relief programs typically reserved for non-profit EMS providers.

The ambulance service has also struggled with recruitment, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reported.

Weekley stated the company aimed to provide the Wood County officials with enough time to ensure continued EMS coverage for residents before ceasing operations.

St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service currently employs 83 full- and part-time staff members.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.