Leaders set to vote on new fee for residents, businesses in Ross/West View EMS service areas

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Leaders will soon vote on a new annual fee for all residents and businesses in the area that Ross/West View EMS serves.

Ross/West View EMS serves five communities in the North Hills.

At first, it was just Ross Township and West View borough but through the years, they’ve also been serving Ohio Township, Millvale Borough and Reserve Township.

“Because EMS services are dwindling and going out of service for a variety of reasons. Financial being one of the largest reasons,” said Greg Porter, the executive director of Ross West View EMS.

They are now faced with the same financial issues. For about eight years, Ross/West View EMS has been receiving funding from all five communities.

“This year, we are projected to have a $300,000 loss and we would need to go back to the municipalities to offset that loss, which would be a significant hit to all their budgets,” said Porter.

So instead, the municipalities and Ross/West View EMS created a new ordinance mandating that every resident and business pays an annual $55 fee. This impacts more than 50,000 residents, including businesses.

Channel 11 went to the ambulance service to get answers for residents about why the money is needed.

“It allows us to improve our capital assets, our facilities and improve our staff’s wages so we can keep the best possible people here to continue to provide those services and continue to be a great asset to the community for years to come,” said Porter.

By paying the fee, there will not be an out-of-pocket expense for residents if they need an ambulance.

Millvale, Ohio Township and West View already approved the ordinance. Ross Township and Reserve Township are holding public meetings next week about it. Then both townships will vote to approve it next month and it will go into effect on March 1st.

The public meeting in Ross Township will be on Tuesday and Reserve Township will have theirs on Monday.

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