Houston ends deal with first responder
After complaints about response times, the borough of Houston has voided an agreement with Fort Cherry Ambulance Services that named the company the primary first responder in emergencies.
Borough council voted July 8 at its regularly scheduled meeting to end its deal with the company and switch services to Canonsburg Ambulance Service, 209 W. Pike St., Canonsburg.
Larry Scears, vice president of Houston’s borough council, said concerns about response times prompted the change. Scears said the borough crafted a “mutual agreement” with Fort Cherry Ambulance in December 2012 to have it serve as the borough’s first responders in emergencies.
“At the last meeting, we talked with the fire department about their concerns,” Scears said. “(Fort Cherry) also wasn’t manning a location in Houston along North Main Street.”
The change went into effect immediately, Scears said.
Scears said residents can still request Fort Cherry when calling 911.
Fort Cherry Ambulance did not return calls for comment.
Canonsburg Ambulance Service referred comment to Allegheny Health Network because the service is hospital-owned. Jennifer Davis, media relations specialist for AHN, said in an email, “Houston Borough approached Canonsburg Ambulance with a request to serve as the borough’s primary first responder. Canonsburg Ambulance has replaced two of its ambulances with new vehicles and increased staffing in 2015. We’re well equipped to operate as the primary provider for EMS services in the community and are happy to serve in that capacity.”
Davis said municipalities are required to designate a primary provider for EMS services.
In a letter addressed to borough council, the ambulance service said it would “take any resident who currently holds a Fort Cherry membership on as a member at no additional charge for the remainder of 2015.”
Houston Mayor James Stubenbordt said the borough had been receiving complaints.
“We have a responsibility to act on that,” he said.
Stubenbordt said all of the parties involved have been informed of the change.
“We need someone who will be there on time,” Stubenbordt said.