The Amity Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved on Aug. 19 to add the Exeter Ambulance Association (EAA) to its run cards for emergency calls.
EAA Chief of Operations Jonathan W. Herbsleb said that adding EAA to Amity Township’s run cards prior to Aug. 24 will resolve the organization’s current violation of an end-user agreement with the county.
Exeter Township Supervisors withdrew their financial support to EAA in January.
He said that because EAA is not currently a part of a public safety construct, it has violated the end-user agreement for the newly installed, county-mandated, radio communication system.
Herbsleb had asked the Amity Township Board of Supervisors on June 3 to consider appointing EAA as the township’s primary provider of emergency medical services.
He said EAA has 45 years of volunteer community service, with local residents seated on its six-member board of directors.
“What we’re offering – we want to provide service to Amity Township – 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Herbsleb, adding, “We want to be the ambulance that is either in Amity Township or on-call and goes no where else.”
EAA is comprised of four full time and 15 part time paramedics, eight full time emergency medical staff, office staff, plus six vehicles and gear for three ambulances with ALS (advanced life support).
Supervisor Richard L. Gokey said he would “entertain” the idea for a “better response time,” which he said is very important.
The board approved this summer to proceed with a request for proposal (RFP) from all interested local ambulance services.
Amity Township officials are currently drafting that RFP.
“EAA was unilaterally removed from all municipalities’ run cards by the county’s Director of Emergency Services, Brian Gottschall,” said Herbsleb.
“Berks County Commissioners said the municipalities set the run cards,” said township Manager Charles E. Lyon, adding, “I don’t agree that they were removed. I want them put back on.”
Amity Township is currently served by Southern Berks Regional EMS, which will still receive the first call.
Southern Berks Regional EMS has stations in the township, Borough of Birdsboro, and Grill areas.
The board unanimously approved to hire Private Investigator Steven Furlong, Montgomery County, to perform background checks on prospective future township employees.
His salary will be $500 to $1,000.
Board Chairperson Kimberly J. McGrath said the board met in executive session on Aug. 19 to discuss the chief of police candidates the board interviewed on Aug. 13.
Amity Police Chief Kent A. Shuebrook announced earlier this year that he will retire next February, at the end of his contract.
Shuebrook was hired by the board on Feb. 5, 2009.
