Media Mulls 6-Town EMS Coalition In Wake Of Crozer's Shutdown

MEDIA, PA — When Crozer Health closed down, many Delaware County communities lost their Emergency Medical Services (EMS) infrastructure. Six towns, including Media, may form a coalition to change that.

Media Borough and five nearby municipalities are in discussions to develop a regional EMS system. The working group also includes Nether Providence, Rose Valley, Rutledge, Swarthmore, and Upper Providence.

"While a new concept in our region as a model for EMS, this framework has been successfully implemented by other regional EMS organizations across our commonwealth," the borough said in a statemen on the prospective coalition.

Currently, many local EMS services are provided by independent, nonprofit organizations funded through insurance billings and voluntary donations, according to Media Borough officials. The system creates unpredictable changes in funding and capacity.

Crozer's shutdown exacerbated the issue, taking away much of Delco's EMS infrastructure while also closing two hospitals.

That has put greater strain on local towns. Media currently provides emergency services by partnering with Media Fire, Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 and Riddle Hospital. The ambulance corps also serves Upper Providence and part of Nether Providence.

The county has funded four ambulances as a stopgap measure.

A multi-town EMS authority would be able to generate funding through property taxes, keeping costs low as a publicly operated, tax-funded service, officials say. Participating municipalities would appoint members to a board that governs the agency.

"This local accountability stands in sharp contrast to the waning days of Prospect Medical Holdings' control of Crozer, when decisions made far from our communities led to dangerously low staffing levels across our riverfront communities, forcing residents to rely on mutual aid from neighboring municipalities for basic emergency care, with disastrous results," the statement says.

The working group includes representatives from all six towns, plus the Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association and the Media Fire Company.

In the early phase, the working group has hired legal counsel — with experience establishing similar systems in Pennsylvania — to develop the authority's structure, financial model and governance.

A public information session is set for 7 p.m. April 30 at Strath Haven Middle School (200 S Providence Rd., Wallingford). After the public session, each municipality will decide whether to formally join the authority during a hearing.

Here's info here.