Pennsylvania Township to Get Closest Ambulances
July 05--It took a near catastrophe, but Lehman Township is now completely covered by the closest possible ambulance companies.
Until Monday, the southwestern portion of the township, serviced by Lake Silkworth EMS for more routine calls, had ordered Luzerne County 911 to dispatch an ambulance for more advanced emergencies from down the mountain in Luzerne Borough, ahead of a unit in Dallas Township, 4.5 miles closer and approximately 10 minutes closer.
In an industry where minutes can be the difference between life and death, that choice created some serious problems on March 10 for the Schneiderite family in Lake Silkworth EMS's portion of Lehman Township.
After falling and striking his head on the kitchen floor, 75-year-old Joe Schneiderite and his family waited more than 20 minutes for the ambulance to arrive from Luzerne Borough. While Schneiderite, a survivor of four heart attacks, was suffering a concussion and bleeding on the brain, the closer ambulance at the Back Mountain Regional Fire and Ambulance station in Dallas Township was staffed and ready, but was not dispatched. This is not an uncommon occurrence in Luzerne County. Several municipalities -- including Avoca, Courtdale, Edwardville, Exeter, Hughestown (for advanced calls) and Larksville -- bypass closer ambulance options for units farther away, potentially adding precious minutes to response times.
After The Citizens' Voice reported on the incident June 16, Lake Silkworth EMS captain Carol White said she would switch the ambulance order for advanced emergencies in its territory.
The change, slotting the closer Dallas Township unit ahead of the one in Luzerne Borough in the call order, took effect Monday, Luzerne County 911 supervisor Andrew Zahorsky said in an email.
"I feel relieved," said Gladys Schneiderite, Joe's wife. "Now we can relax a little bit."
White, who declined comment by text message Wednesday, is a former full-time employee of Trans-Med Ambulance, Inc., the company in Luzerne Borough that used to be called ahead of the closer Dallas Township-based ambulance. She remains a part-time employee, but previously denied her association with the company was related to her choosing it ahead of the closer option.
Legally, EMS companies do not have the final say on which outside ambulances are called to their territory. A state law passed in 2008 puts the responsibility on municipal governments "to ensure fire and emergency services are provided" within their communities, though many township and borough officials are not aware of the law, including Lehman Township Supervisor Chairman David Sutton when he was first contacted by The Citizens' Voice in May.
That angered the Schneiderites.
"I think if you're going to run for office, then you should know what you're duties are," said Gladys Schneiderite, 72.
Sutton did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday.
Several municipalities, including a portion of Dallas Township covered by the Kunkle Fire and Ambulance Company, Monroe Township in Wyoming County and Hughestown (for more routine ambulance calls), have switched to closer ambulance responders after The Citizens' Voice pointed out the potential problem.
Though the bypasses remain in other communities, the lapse in local government has now been corrected in Lehman Township. And despite some lingering headaches, Joe has mostly recovered.
"It could have been a big tragedy for us, and it could have been a big loss for someone else here," Gladys Schneiderite said.
pcameron@citizensvoice.com
570-821-2110, @cvpetercameron
Copyright 2013 - The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
