West Penn Township residents didn’t have to go far to witness their share of fireworks on the eve of the Fourth of July.

At least not with the share of bursts that were generated at Monday’s board of supervisors meeting over the topic of ambulance coverage in the township.

Valerie Coombe, president of Penn Mahoning Ambulance, said they would like to hold a workshop once Supervisor Tim Houser was back and the board had its full slate of officials present.

“We would like to sit down with everyone,” Coombe said. “We’ve hired additional staff to be 24/7.”

Coombe added the ambulance is up to 17 employees now.

However, Supervisor Glenn Hummel told Coombe that despite that, “you’re still not making all of your calls.”

Coombe said they do if you average them out.

Hummel reiterated his stance from last month’s meeting.

“I don’t want to see you close your doors,” Hummel said. “We should not be funding you to ensure you have financial (sustainability).”

Hummel suggested that the township reduce the amount it gives Penn Mahoning Ambulance from $45,000 to $30,000, and make them primary when they are in service, and Tamaqua Community Ambulance when Penn Mahoning is not.

“We need to protect our residents; we need 24/7 service,” Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said. “What we’re proposing to do is to keep you guys primary, as long as you’re working.”

The conversation then shifted to call volume and response time.

“There will always be an ambulance,” Coombe said. “The question is how long do you want to wait?”

Prudenti said he understood, but shared the township’s rationale.

“We were going to make Tamaqua our second primary,” he said. “Why do we want to do that; because time is of the essence.”

Coombe said she’s been putting in countless hours, and added, “I eat, breathe, sleep Penn Mahoning right now.”

Prudenti told Coombe “Nobody’s questioning your work ethic.”

“I need 24/7 (service) immediately,” Prudenti said. “The money is secondary, but everybody should be compensated for their time.”

More staff needed

Karen Crostley, vice president of Penn Mahoning Ambulance, noted they are still looking for more staff.

“We’ve only missed four calls for the month of June,” Crostley said. “I think that shows we’re moving in the right direction.”

Hummel said he’d be open to a workshop with the ambulance.

“I’m always willing to meet,” said Hummel, who noted that at last month’s meeting, supervisors gave Penn Mahoning fair warning that it had until July 1 to show progress.

Resident David Tyson spoke in favor of Penn Mahoning Ambulance.

“Penn Mahoning, they have pride for the people, they have respect for them,” Tyson said. “If it weren’t for the fire company and the ambulance, you wouldn’t have (expletive).”

Prudenti restated that the township wanted to make sure it has 24/7 service, and that its plan was to keep Penn Mahoning primary, and make Tamaqua Community Ambulance secondary.

Ultimately, the board on a 2-0 vote agreed to keep Penn Mahoning as primary when it’s in service, and if it’s not in service, make Tamaqua Community Ambulance primary.

Afterward, Prudenti explained to Penn Mahoning that what the board did was make Tamaqua Community Ambulance secondary.

“You guys shouldn’t be affected,” Prudenti said. “The worst-case scenario is you get $15,000 (in funding from the township).”

Hummel previously said that Penn Mahoning refused to give the township budget details, refused to give transparency to a budget, and added that an ambulance it has is not ready to be certified to be on the road.

Prudenti previously said the problem he had was that the township already committed to give the $45,000 to Penn Mahoning.

Regardless, Hummel asked why the township would want to give the ambulance $45,000 when it isn’t getting the service that’s being paid for, and then suggested knocking the $45,000 the township gives to Penn Mahoning down to $30,000.

That amount would then be split in half, with Penn Mahoning and Tamaqua each receiving $15,000.

The funding was approved 2-1 this month, with Hummel opposed.

In May, the board revisited funding to ambulance associations that assist in covering 911 calls in the township.

Hummel said at that time that Penn Mahoning covers 57% of its calls, while Tamaqua Community Ambulance handles the other 43%.

He then asked if the township could designate Tamaqua Community Ambulance as its primary responder when Penn Mahoning isn’t available.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte suggested at that time that the township talk to both ambulance companies to get things squared away.

Hummel said that the township has money set aside for the ambulance.

Datte told Hummel the township has total control over how that money is spent, and therefore, it’s up to them to decide.