Residents and UBREMS Press Township on Ambulance Coverage and Funding

UBREMS officials and local residents pressed the Springfield Township Board of Supervisors on April 22 for clearer data and more municipal support to sustain ambulance service.

Jim Nilsen, speaking as a UBREMS representative, disputed a recent Township statement and said county records show UBREMS is first-due in “91–92%” of the Springfield area they serve, not the 65% cited in the Township notice. Anthony Mills, UBREMS president, described cost-saving moves — reduced overtime, bringing subscription processing in-house and a new billing system — and warned the service faces a budget deficit that will require higher municipal contributions in 2026 and a loan to sustain operations through 2025. Mills said four neighboring municipalities (Durham, Riegelsville, Bridgeton and Nockamixon) have agreed to the proposed funding model.

Tim Southern, a paramedic and UBREMS board member, emphasized operational need: having a second ambulance closer can cut response times dramatically, citing a 10-minute versus 30-minute difference on some calls and frequent instances where both ambulances are required for ALS calls and transports. Resident Nick Radford and others urged the board to find funding despite tax constraints, calling EMS “vital.”

Supervisor Jim Hopkins said the board is satisfied with service quality but needs the full financial picture to decide on municipal contributions. Hopkins proposed allowing UBREMS to post a statement on the Township website and Facebook to demonstrate ongoing dialogue while the parties work through the numbers.

What’s next: The board asked for clearer, consolidated financial data from UBREMS and signaled it will weigh that information alongside municipal budget constraints before deciding whether to fund a two-station model.