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Struthers council hears plan to place EMS levy on ballot after staffing and reimbursement shortfalls
Summary
City officials and public speakers discussed rolling ambulance operations into the fire department, staffing needs for paramedics and dispatchers, ambulance reimbursement shortfalls and a target deadline of Feb. 5 to place a levy on the ballot.
Struthers City Council members and city staff heard detailed briefings on emergency medical services funding, staffing needs and a possible levy to be placed on an upcoming ballot.
Council members, fire officials and other speakers told the committee that the city’s fire department now operates the ambulance service and that current staffing and reimbursement levels leave gaps in coverage. City staff said they can prepare a cost breakdown for additional paramedics and dispatchers and pursue placing a levy on the ballot if the council directs them to do so.
Why it matters: City leaders said the proposed levy would fund additional EMTs/paramedics and dispatch capacity that they say are necessary to reduce long ambulance response times and to maintain 24/7 EMS coverage if ambulance runs continue to rely heavily on Medicare and…
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