An ad hoc steering committee was formed Monday for the Clarion County Emergency Medical Services Task Force.
The purpose of the committee is to organize a countywide ambulance service.
Clarion Borough Council member Andy Montana was elected to head the committee pending his acceptance. The panel will include representatives from Highland and Elk townships and Clarion, East Brady, Knox, Hawthorn and St. Petersburg boroughs.
“We are not forcing anyone to join,” said Heasley.
The county has hosted informational meetings for township and borough officials.
The committee’s goal is to develop a plan to save ambulance services in the county.
“At one time we had 10 ambulance services and today we have five with Clarion Hospital accounting for two of those stations,” said Jeff Smathers, the county’s public safety director.
Smathers said that, by statute, the county can’t create an authority.
“It is the role of the municipalities to do that,” Smathers said. “This is not a final plan. It is a plan. The plan was modeled on the Ross Township plan that bound together several townships to form an authority.”
Heasley said Farmington Township in Clarion County and Tionesta had initiated a joint service based on the Ross Township model.
“They are on their way,” he said.
Heasley noted that Jefferson County recently met with Indiana County and will meet with Clarion County to discuss regionalization of the ambulance services.
Steve Allison, secretary of the Clarion County Association of Township Officials, said many of the township officials were taking a wait and see attitude toward the ambulance problem.
“We can’t afford to wait and see,” he said. “That is just kicking the can down the road.”
Allison is the contact person for the committee.
Clarion Borough Council president Carol LaPinto said council has already formed a committee to study the problem. Heasley said the fire companies will be next to be in a crisis situation.
“We can only take one step at a time,” he said.
The committee is planning to invite a representative from Ross Township and from Farmington to the next meeting. The time and place of that meeting will be announced soon.