Pa. Fire, Ambulance Study Gains Support for State Funding
July 07--CHAMBERSBURG -- Municipalities throughout Franklin County have endorsed a proposed study of the fire and ambulance service in the county.
Fire and ambulance companies have been trying to do more with less for decades. Companies have fewer volunteers and more costly equipment. Volunteer training has become more expensive, more complex and more time-consuming.
The top priority for the Franklin County Emergency Services Alliance is to sign up and keep volunteers.
The study is expected to cost about $20,000, according to alliance president Randy Negley.
"Hopefully it will lay a road map for the future of emergency service," Negley said. "The reason we're doing this is that service providers are lacking in personnel and funding. You can't throw money at the problem without some assurances that the money will get you what you need."
The study will give recommendations to municipalities and emergency service providers, he said. It will give them direction for decisions that they may, or may not, make.
Franklin County Commissioners are the latest to support the alliance's application for a state grant that would pay for the study. Commissioners indicated on Tuesday they were prepared on Thursday to formalize their endorsement.
The endorsement does not commit any local funds to the study, according to Commissioner David Keller.
Negley said the alliance plans to apply for a Pennsylvania Municipal Assistance Planning grant and has sought consultants interested in doing the study.
The non-profit group presented its case to the Franklin County Council of Governments earlier this year and will ask the COG for formal approval next week.
The alliance made its case to the COG in January. Members of the Adams County COG presented the results of their own study of fire service in the county.
The alliance represents local services providing fire protection and emergency medical services.
Copyright 2015 - Public Opinion, Chambersburg, Pa.
