EMS is not closing, Beaver officials say

The EMS director said
several people had asked him about the situation.

By VIRGINIA ROSS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NORTH LIMA — Beaver Township officials said they are hopeful rumors circulating about the township’s plans to disband the fire department’s EMS unit are soon put to rest.

Trustees Ron Kappler and Ted Lyda reassured residents and emergency personnel at the township’s monthly meeting this week that they are not considering doing away with the township emergency management services department and are looking into the possibility of providing the unit’s personnel with a refresher class early next year.

“We would like to see the rumors end and ask that they are stopped,” Kappler said. “I personally have no desire to see that department closed.”

EMS director Frank Dispenza, who addressed the matter at the meeting, explained his intention was to give the trustees a chance to clarify their positions on the issue at a public meeting in hopes of dispelling the rumors “once and for all.”

He said for the past few months residents and township staff have asked him whether rumors about the township’s plans to close its EMS department and contract out to private ambulance providers are true.

“A lot of people have been talking about it and I’ve heard from many different sources in the township, so I just want it clarified,” he said.

He said closing the EMS department would not be logical. He noted the township has recently invested in training programs for staff, purchased a new ambulance and added onto its fire safety building.

Kappler and Lyda each said they are pleased with the services provided by the township’s emergency personnel.

The third trustee, Larry Wehr, was not at the meeting.

“These rumors are crazy,” Lyda said. “When people call we want to make sure someone is there for them, someone from the township. We want to give our EMS department every chance to grow and become stronger, not shut it down or do away with it. It’s too important to us.”