kwarco@observer-reporter.com

They have pledged to uphold the safety of the community, so when the call comes in from 911, emergency personnel respond.

But the cost of fuel needed for that response keeps going up, and like the people the emergency responders serve, most have no way to cover the increased costs.

"I'll get a team of horses," McDonald police Chief Mark Dorsey quipped when asked how his department would deal with the rising fuel costs. "Seriously, I am keeping an eye on the budget. We've already spent 50 percent of what was budgeted for gas in 2008. ... I budgeted for an increase this year but didn't expect it to go up this much."

Dorsey said he likely will examine that line item in the budget unless there is a dramatic decrease in prices.

"I'll be looking at our patrol times and eliminate any unnecessary trips to curb gas usage," he added. "But we'll still be answering calls, handling investigations and making arrests. It just takes a little ingenuity."

McDonald police, who are under contract to patrol neighboring Robinson Township, said they put about 1,200 to 1,300 miles a week on the cruisers.

Washington police Chief James R. Blyth said the fuel costs are cutting into the city's already tight budget.

"And it seems that everything we buy, we are getting fuel charges added on," Blyth said. "What used to cost $10 to ship now may cost $20 or $22. And oil changes are up, tire prices are up and batteries are up. We are looking at everything we buy real closely because of the fuel and the general state of the economy in the city. There may be other line items going."

Ever thrifty and looking for a good deal, Donegal Township police Chief Ethan Ward has started adding acetone to the gasoline at fill-ups.

"Police cars are not noted for fuel efficiency," Ward said. "Since we started adding it, we have seen a 20 percent increase in fuel efficiency.

"We have a budget and have to stay within it," he added.

His department has a large area to patrol - more than 250 square miles in not only Donegal but also Claysville and West Alexander boroughs and Morris Township.

"If we drove the entire area, we could put 180 miles on the car," Ward said.

Carroll Township police Chief Paul Brand also won't be cutting services.

"We have to bite the bullet and pay the higher fuel prices," he said. "But, in turn, we won't be able to purchase other equipment or add manpower shifts."

State police budgeted $11 million for fuel in the current fiscal year that ends June 30, using money from the general, motor license, gaming and state store funds and other federal money.

State police cars consume 4.5 million gallons of fuel each year, so for every penny increase at the pump, they see an increase of $45,000 in fuel costs. State police personnel put about 66 million miles a year on the vehicles.

Fire departments, too, are feeling the pinch at the pump.

"It is whacking us pretty hard," said Canton Township fire Chief Dave Gump. "And we don't even have to pay the tax since we are tax-exempt.

"I think we spent $350 to $400 last month," he added, saying that most of the fire trucks run on the more expensive diesel. "And that doesn't include the cost of oil changes and tires."

Avella fire Chief Eric Temple said his department has both diesel and gasoline trucks.

"When we fill up the gasoline trucks at the Uni-Mart, it is $40 to $50," Temple said, adding that the department has a 275-gallon tank with diesel fuel at that station.

"We have to buy the higher quality road fuel for the diesel trucks," he added. "We are really feeling the pinch. And depending on the call, we may send one truck for a crash or five trucks for a structure fire."

Temple said the higher costs are tough on the volunteers.

"Some guys who might have come two or three times a week to help out around the department may only come once a week now," Temple said. "But they all respond to the fire calls."

Canonsburg Ambulance Service is absorbing the costs of extra fuel, said Terry Wiltrout, vice president of operations for Canonsburg General Hospital, which runs the service.

"We have no plans to make any changes," Wiltrout said. "We will continue to run the ambulance, wheelchair van and medivan as we have in the past."

Wiltrout said about 13,000 miles are logged on the vehicles each month. He said they have seen about a 25 percent increase in fuel prices.

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