Douglass Township authorizes manager to draft EMS 'plan B' RFP after concerns about GACAS

Douglass Township supervisors on Sept. 4 authorized Manager Andrew Duncan to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) to identify alternative emergency medical services providers as a contingency plan should the Gilbertsville Area Community Ambulance Service (GACAS) become unable to serve the township.

Chairman Joshua Stouch moved the measure and Vice‑Chair Sara Carpenter seconded it; Supervisor Don Bergstresser abstained, citing his position on the GACAS board. The motion passed with two votes in favor. The board instructed Manager Duncan and Solicitor Wendy McKenna to draft the RFP and proceed with legal review.

The action followed a follow‑up public meeting that the board called after an information session in May. Stouch said an RFP would serve only as a contingency and would not in itself remove funding or terminate GACAS: "an RFP to provide services does not mean that we are going with another entity; it means if something happens this is an entity that says that they can come in here and this will be the cost for it." He argued the RFP is prudent planning to avoid a gap in coverage if GACAS were to fold.

Manager Andrew Duncan said he recommended tabling immediate replacement action to allow current efforts to continue, but supported the RFP as a practical planning tool. Several supervisors and GACAS representatives told the board they prefer the township's help but do not want micro‑management; Stouch said the effort is intended to ensure continuity of service for residents.

The meeting record notes the board received confidential letters alleging improprieties at GACAS (including questions about by‑laws and meeting procedures). Solicitor McKenna described those letters as confidential and not for public discussion at length during the meeting. The board cited its obligations under the Second Class Township Code (Act 69 §1553) and the township's duty to ensure fire and emergency medical services are provided in the township as context for preparing contingency plans.

Next steps: Manager Duncan and Solicitor McKenna will draft the RFP and circulate it for review; no timeline for issuing the RFP was specified at the meeting. The motion does not change ongoing funding or operations for GACAS and was presented as a planning step to protect township residents.

Votes at a glance: Motion to authorize Manager Duncan to create an RFP for EMS services — Moved by Joshua Stouch, seconded by Sara Carpenter; Stouch Aye, Carpenter Aye, Bergstresser Abstain; Outcome: passed.