News

July 12, 2008

Likely EMS merger lauded

Officials see a lot of potential positives in consolidating Nanticoke, Newport Twp. ambulance companies.

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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NANTICOKE – The two ambulance companies serving Nanticoke and Newport and Plymouth townships might soon incorporate into the South Valley Regional Ambulance Association. The new department could be established by year’s end.

Combining the Nanticoke Fire Department Community Ambulance and the Newport Township Firemen’s Community Ambulance Association is a “no-brainer,” said Bernie Norieka, president of the board of directors of the Nanticoke group. The consolidation would combine equipment and manpower.

The change, officials from the two companies said, will create less overhead and 24-hour, full-time service for all three municipalities. Nanticoke also serves Plymouth Township.

“It would end a duplication of expenses and personnel,” Norieka said. The Nanticoke organization voted to approve the jointure. Newport Township’s ambulance association does not have a board and approval needs to come from a majority vote from its members. A vote could be taken at the association’s next meeting on July 21, said Newport Ambulance Capt. Janine Floryshak.

If Newport’s members approve the move, a new corporation and board of directors would be established. Norieka said some issues have not been discussed in detail, including whether both ambulance buildings would remain open and how many full- and part-timers would be needed to staff the company.

Nanticoke has nine full-time employees and about a dozen part-timers and provides coverage with an advanced life support ambulance around the clock.

Newport offers basic life support services and often calls Nanticoke for more serious injuries or dispatches. Newport staffs its company with some of its 13 part-timers from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Nanticoke offers services in the eight-hour gap.

“We’ve been working together for many years. This seems like a logical step,” Norieka said, mentioning that neither company receives municipal funding. If joined, the two would work together on fundraisers, pooling their resources for equipment and fuel.

Norieka said the combination makes sense on many levels and as police and fire departments across the state merge or regionalize because of manpower issues or ways to cut overhead, he’s hoping the two companies will serve as a trendsetter in the region’s ambulance community.

Nanticoke Administrator Kenneth Johnson said the city supports the proposal.

“I believe that any inter-municipal effort generally results in more efficient service delivery. We have a private nonprofit that joins with another similar organization to provide a critical community service. That community service is financed without any taxpayer subsidy and through user fees. “

The Newport ambulance operates out of space provided by the township near the municipal building. Floryshak said operating out of a Nanticoke-based facility would not create a negative situation for Newport residents, because the Nanticoke ambulance garage is within eight miles of all parts of Newport Township.

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.

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