ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. — Editor's note: The above video is from March 29, 2023.
A changing of the guard that has been years in the making will officially take place in February, Lancaster County authorities announced today.
The Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County (MESA) will take over for Northwest EMS to provide 911 emergency medical ambulances services in northwest Lancaster County starting Feb. 4, just under a year after MESA was first incorporated on Feb. 7, 2023.
The idea for MESA was formed back in 2018 when county officials realized the future of their local emergency medical services were at risk due to insufficient funding.
Northwest EMS was facing insolvency due to a lack of revenue and rising costs, officials said. MESA will address this issue by charging property owners and employers in member municipalities a mandatory annual fee to fund its operations and ensure 24/7 readiness to respond to EMS calls, instead of relying on donations.
The first annual fee bills to property owners and employers will arrive by mail in mid-February, officials said.
“Municipalities are responsible for many things including recreation facilities, police services, stormwater management and snow removal to name a few,” said MESA Board Chair Debra Dupler. “In Pennsylvania, municipalities are also required by law to ensure the provision of emergency medical services. In the tradition of Northwest EMS, MESA looks forward to continuing to provide outstanding 911 EMS service and 24/7 readiness to respond to EMS calls in the region.”
Conoy Township, East Donegal Township, Elizabethtown Borough, Marietta Borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township are the first members. Authorities say MESA is a first-of-its-kind regional municipal authority in Pennsylvania.
“EMS is an essential public service and public funding is critical to ensure that it is ready to go into action when needed,” Dupler said. “It is our hope that the Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County will serve as a model for more municipalities in Pennsylvania facing an EMS crisis.”
Benefits to residents of MESA member municipalities include: No residual bills for EMS services if the patient’s insurance pays; 50% off EMS bills if the patient does not have insurance coverage; and 50% off EMS bills if the patient’s payment applies to an insurance deductible.
“Northwest EMS is tremendously grateful for the community’s partnership through the years,” said Scott Kingsboro, authority manager for MESA and formerly executive director of Northwest EMS. “We look forward to serving the community with the same outstanding service for which Northwest EMS is known as we proudly wear a new uniform. And just as it was for Northwest EMS, health and safety education and community outreach events will continue to be an important part of our mission.”