Boardman to choose EMS provider - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

BOARDMAN TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Boardman Township trustees are a step closer to choosing a new private ambulance service for the township.

Lane and Rural Metro ambulance companies both gave presentations to Boardman Township trustees in an effort to become the township's sole EMS provider.

Boardman's fire chief says going with a private ambulance service will provide better response times. He says the township was hoping to achieve a better than nine minute average and the two companies have guaranteed a much better average than that.

Chef George Brown says, "Currently we're running a $500,000 fire truck out on those first aid calls that will save us on wear and tear on equipment and cost of fuel and making those crews available should there be a fire call."

Trustees also want to make sure the ambulance company would always have a presence in the township.

Township Administrator Jason Loree says, "Part of the requirement is to actually have a station, a place in town to actually have their folks based out of. We are a very large community. We actually have a good call load."

The fire chief says no jobs will be in jeopardy in his department when the new service is added since the department staffing is on the low side now anyway.

Township trustees are expected to make a decision on which they plan to choose by the end of the year.