Residents urge Tinicum to step up on EMS funding as volunteers warn of staffing shortfalls

Several residents and volunteer emergency responders urged Tinicum supervisors to address a growing funding shortfall facing Upper Bucks Regional EMS and local volunteer fire companies.

Diane Allison, speaking during public comment, said she learned that the regional EMS faces a substantial shortfall that could force reductions in staff and stations and materially affect response times. "This is and should be a huge concern for our community," Allison said, and she urged the board to consider funding options and to address the matter at the June 18 work session with EMS and fire leadership in attendance.

Speakers said past funding sources — including foundation donations and one-time federal recovery monies — have ended and subscriptions from households do not cover operating costs. Residents suggested a mix of immediate measures: raising municipal fire/EMS millage within statutory caps, short-term general‑fund support, and exploring incentives to recruit and retain volunteers, including tax credits available under Pennsylvania Act 172.

Victoria Black, a volunteer with Delaware Valley Fire Company, described the operational strain on unpaid responders and said volunteers deserve support for training, gear and staffing stability. Multiple speakers urged the township to avoid overburdening volunteers with fundraising tasks and to seek grant funding and county-level solutions in addition to local measures.

Supervisors agreed to add the subject to an upcoming work session and to invite EMS and fire officials to present prioritized needs and options for township contributions and incentives. The board noted that the Palisades Regional Fire Company (PRFC) is developing qualification criteria for potential tax-credit eligibility and that an elected-official forum on countywide EMS challenges is scheduled the following Saturday.