Middle Smithfield finalizes EMS provider pacts
Bushkill Emergency remains first due ALS and BLS provider
By LAUREL BISHOW
March 21, 2008
Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved at its monthly
meeting on Thursday last week a memorandum of understanding signed by the four companies that will provide emergency services
to the township.
Representatives from Bushkill Emergency Corps, Suburban Medical Services, Marshalls
Creek Fire Company and Med Mobile in attendance retired to a back room to hash out their final disagreements and emerged united.
There are also separate agreements between the providers about billing and other issues. The arrangement will start on April
1 and will run for a six-month trial. During that time, there will be monthly meetings to iron out any problems that arise.
Bushkill Emergency Corps will be the first due advanced life support (ALS) and
basic life support (BLS) provider and Suburban EMS second due for ALS. Marshalls Creek Fire Department would provide basic
life support vehicles as a BLS second due and Suburban and Med Mobile would complement the network and provide transport services.
The township has operated without an agreement for 10 months after a longterm
contract with Bushkill Emergency Corps expired last June.
Supervisor Chairman Scott Schaller said the Monroe County Emergency Control Center
will assign BLS providers for secondary calls depending on which organization is available when Bushkill Emergency Corps's
resources have been exhausted. "When BEC is back in service for Middle Smithfield Township, they will be dispatched for the
next ALS/BLS call from the Control Center," the contract reads.
Furthermore, the contract states that "BEC hereby acknowledges that its first
due Advanced Life Support crew does not provide and therefore shall never be unavailable for emergency calls as the result
of performing non-emergency transports from a residents, medical facility and/or hospital."
The contract stipulates that each provider maintain each month detailed response
statistics to meet the five-minute response minimum as well as "a monthly record of equipment maintenance and service which
record shall by supplied to the township upon request."
The contract also said that each emergency provider must present a monthly financial
statement and submit to an audit by the township when requested.
"This has not been an easy process," said township Solicitor Jennifer Wise, clearly
pleased at their final agreement that involved a $10,000 study and report by two state consultants that ended back at Square
1 with Bushkill Emergency as the lead provider.
Wise noted how hard they all worked to come up with a system that will best provide
emergency services to the township. The room exploded in applause in appreciation of the work that the four companies provide
every day and for their new agreement.
"They are extraordinary people doing extraordinary things," added Wise.
