Swoyersville hears ambulance gripes

SWOYERSVILLE -- An ambulance services saga continued at Monday night’s borough council meeting.

Jennifer Mooney and Ed Connor from the Swoyersville Ambulance Association criticized the response times of Trans-Med Ambulance services in Kingston.

According to council President Ronald Alunni, an agreement currently exists, although not a written contract, for Trans-Med to cover critical care emergency calls in the borough.

Once Trans-Med arrives at an emergency scene and determines the patient has to be taken to a hospital, its personnel can “cancel” the Swoyersville Ambulance.

Mooney, who works for Northeast Ambulance in Luzerne, which competes with Trans-Med, and volunteers at Swoyersville Ambulance, told council Trans-Med repeatedly takes too long to respond and arrives without adequate equipment when it does.

Two months ago, Mooney and representatives from Trans-Med sparred in front of council over the same subject. At that meeting Trans-Med brought documents from its global position satellite (GPS) records that showed its response times were about four minutes.

But Mooney questioned the accuracy of the information then and again at Monday’s meeting.

She added Trans-Med promised to take care of any issues but “it’s not getting any better.”

Alunni asked Mooney to provide better proof of her claims. Council members Charles Zambito and William Keating also requested more proof.

Connor, the Swoyersville Ambulance treasurer, said there may be financial reasons for Trans-Med canceling Swoyersville Ambulance. He said that if a Trans-Med unit takes a call it can earn up to $800 as opposed to $100 if accompanied by the Swoyersville Ambulance.

Connor and Mooney emphasized concern for residents’ safety is “first and foremost” behind their complaints.

Trans Med representatives were not available for comment; however, borough officials said they will pursue another discussion with them as soon as possible.

Alunni added that the council does not want to get involved, but if the safety of the residents is at stake, it may have to.

In other business, council voted unanimously to authorize an ordinance banning residents from leaving lawn clippings on public streets or dumping them where they block storm water drains. Violators can face a $500 fine, Alunni said.