Struthers council considers pricing for city-operated ambulance

Elected leaders in the City of Struthers on Wednesday night will consider offering the city's own ambulance service.

City Council will review a proposed ordinance that says because the current ambulance company is unable to provide reliable service, Struthers would add an ambulance to the fire department and hire EMTs.

Back in May, the President and CEO of Lane Life TRANS Paramedics informed Struthers, Hubbard, Coitsville, and Campbell that they would no longer provide ambulance service for them as of June 4th.

Under the ordinance, the city would hire what it calls “intermittent EMTs” who would work under the supervision of the Safety Director and Fire Chief.

No more than thirty intermittent EMTs could be hired with their pay to be determined by the council.

A fee will be charged by the city for those using EMT services.

Below are the fees listed on the ordinance:

• Basic Life Support $850
• Advanced Life support level 1 $1,000
• Advanced Live Support Level 2 $1,100
• Transport Milage $17 per mile
• On-scene treatment without transport (patient refusal) $50
• On-site lift assist $50
• Wait time for non-emergency transport is $60 per quarter hour
• DOA service runs $650

The ordinance will be considered at the regular council meeting at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday

Other communities impacted by the loss of ambulance services are also weighing options.