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LOCK HAVEN -- Emergency medical services in Clinton County are facing serious hurdles.
Lock Haven EMS Chief Gerard Banfill spoke about the struggles emergency responders -- such as ambulance services and the 911 center -- are facing.
"We're in trouble. Not just in Lock Haven and Clinton County. It's manpower, finances, reimbursements, recruiting and retention," Banfill told the board of commissioners Thursday.
Banfill said local EMS services are in the early stages of forming a community coalition to find solutions to these issues.
"We're going to reach out and build a community coalition, like we did during COVID times, to come together as a community," he said. "Because I believe the only way we're going to survive is strength in numbers."
Banfill said the coalition, which he hopes will have the board's support, will work together to combat these issues.
"We are spinning out of control. We are not able to recruit. The reimbursements are less than 45 to 50 cents per dollar," he said. "Any business owner can tell you that you can't pay people well enough to retain them on that budget."
If these issues aren't fixed, Banfill warned the consequences could be major.
"Without the commitment from us first responders, who comes when we don't show up," he said. "Think about that in your own homes. You pick up the phone, if somebody doesn't answer -- when our friends at the 911 center aren't able to staff up. Or maybe the 911 center doesn't have an ambulance to call because there's nobody to call."
"We need to come up with a resolution on how to fix that for right here in Clinton County," he said.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS
During the board of commissioners' reports, member Angela Harding requested local lawmakers focus on issues Clinton County is currently facing. The request came in light of House Bill 319 being introduced.
"Basically the bill is prohibiting instruction in K-5 on sexual orientation," Harding said.
The bill mirrors similar actions taken in other states, such as Florida.
Harding said she was not making her own comment on the proposed bill, but said she felt there were more pressing issues to focus on.
"My concern is that we heard this morning about our EMS crisis. We've lost services at our hospital. We have healthcare issues. We have a declining census. We have a work force issue where we don't have enough employees to fill the spaces in our state… or in our county specifically," she said.
"I could go on and on this morning. The point I'm trying to make is that I would request our representatives for Clinton County specifically focus on the issues that are dire for our community," she said.
Commissioner Jeff Snyder, who serves on the SEDA-COG Board, said he will be joining a Broadband Task Force, recently formed by the council of government.
"We will be meeting on Aug. 17 in Harrisburg. There's supposed to be a lot of funding going forward. I think it's going to tie in nicely with this (911 tower) project we're working on," Snyder said. "It's more meetings, but I thought it was important to have our county represented."
In other business the commissioners:
-- Opened a sealed bid from Motorolla Solutions for its 911 tower project. County Planner Stephen Gibson opened the bid's three large boxes which included multiple copies for review. Gibson said Motorolla provided multiple bids from various entities that the commissioners and other staff may review. "This isn't a low bid award type of scenario. It's a best value procurement bid. Next move is to take the bids, send some to the consultant and review internally," Gibson said. Following the review, a proposed bid will be brought to the board for its consideration.
-- Approved a resolution to apply for a DCNR grant for Phase 6 development of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail.
-- Approved a 5-year agreement with Commonwealth University of PA for hosting internships at the Clinton County Correctional Facility.
-- Approved a proposal from Lugg Building Contractor to install a 12x49x108 inch concreate pad for the Garden Building's new generator. The cost is $4,800. Harding abstained from the vote, noting she is a friend of the contractor.
-- Presented a retirement certificate to Kathy Nearhood, thanking her for five years of service in the Treasurer's office.