Girard considers charging outsiders for ambulance services

The Girard Fire Department and the city council are considering enforcing payment from non-residents who utilize the city's ambulance services. This decision comes in response to an increase in call volume.

 Fire Chief James Petruzzi said if they adopt this practice, the bill may come as a surprise to people outside of city limits, but he believes it is a necessary step. 

"City council is presenting legislation to pursue the collections process." Petruzzi said. 

The department restarted its ambulance service in June 2024. Since then, they have responded to 267 mutual aid calls from neighboring communities in Trumbull County.

"It's been split up between Liberty, McDonald, Weathersfield ... we've run [to] Niles, Youngstown." Petruzzi said. 

According to documents obtained by 21 News, Liberty Township made up 195 of those calls.

Petruzzi told 21 News that if the proposal is approved, the medical bill would first be sent to the insurance provider of the non-resident.

"We take what the insurance pays, and then all the remainder will be billed back to the patient." the fire chief said.

He attributed the necessity for mutual aid responses to staffing shortages that many departments are experiencing. 

"Staffing is an issue everywhere. There's not a lot of people getting into public safety, and if they are, maybe they don't want to be paramedics." Petruzzi said. 

Despite the high number of mutual aid calls, Petruzzi stated that the department will continue to provide emergency assistance to other communities.

"Everybody rest assured, it doesn't matter what community in you're in. If you dial 911 you are going to get help." Petruzzi said.

Residents ofGirard will continue to receive emergency services without charge.