HARRISVILLE, N.Y. — Harrisville has been without its own ambulance service for several years after the Harrisville Rescue Squad dissolved due to a shortage of volunteers.
That responsibility has since shifted to Lewis County Search and Rescue, based in Lowville, about 35 minutes from Harrisville, Chief of Operations Josh Levesque told WWNY. Levesque said Harrisville’s certificate of need (CON) was supposed to transfer to Natural Bridge, but it was not completed before the March deadline.
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“Natural Bridge, whether they had agreements with the fire department or anything of that sort, no longer has legal authority to operate in that area, Levesque said.
After Harrisville’s squad dissolved, Jason O’Meara of the Natural Bridge Ambulance Company said nearby towns, villages and fire departments agreed that Natural Bridge would handle Harrisville’s emergency calls. Although located in neighboring Jefferson County, Natural Bridge is closer — about a 12-minute drive from Harrisville.
O’Meara said he thought the CON transfer was moving forward and was surprised when Natural Bridge wasn’t dispatched to Harrisville.
Levesque said Lewis County Search and Rescue will continue providing Harrisville with paramedic-level service and mutual aid from nearby squads. Natural Bridge will also continue answering calls while seeking its own CON.
Both leaders said they are committed to working together to protect residents of northern Lewis County.
