The Amity Township Board of Supervisors said June 17 that it will follow the necessary protocol to locate and contract with an ambulance service.
Board members indicated that the township’s next ambulance provider may not be the currently contracted Southern Berks Regional Emergency Services.
They said Southern Berks EMS called of in February an “on-route” ambulance, and that it wasn’t the first time the company had canceled an ambulance.
“It happened more than once since February, and before,” said Supervisor Terry L. Jones.
Despite several reassurances from Southern Berks EMS Executive Director Malcolm Coles of improved future service with a “chase truck,” discussion with its management team and the Amity Fire Company, the board will put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) from other ambulance companies.
“For health and safety – regarding response time – we have not heard good things of your response time,” said Supervisor Richard L. Gokey, adding, “That is why we are entertaining this, so the public and you are aware of why we’re discussing this, it’s your poor response time.”
Jonathan W. Herbsleb, Exeter Ambulance Association (EAA) Chief of Operations, said at the board’s June 3 meeting that EAA is seeking a “mutual open partnership” with the township.
Exeter Township Supervisors withdrew their financial support to EAA in January.
As a result of that, Herbsleb said that EAA has been removed from the ambulance run cards for all Berks County municipalities.
The “first due” for Amity Township is Southern Berks EMS, and second due is now the Exeter Fire Department or Muhlenberg Ambulance.
“In fairness to everyone, I would like to move this along, instead of festering,” said Gokey. “I would like to see this happen [contracting with EAA] in the next several months.”
Lyon said he will prepare and present to the board a brief RFP for a new ambulance company.
“Let the ambulances respond back with what they will provide,” said Lyon.
RFPs must include a “home” (station) location in Amity Township.
