Sunday, 12 April 2020 07:06

Pocono Mountain Regional EMS feeling financial pinch

Original Title: "Monroe County EMS Company Worried It May Run Out Of Money Before Pandemic Is Over"

MONROE COUNTY, Pa. - Like many non-profits during the coronavirus, Pocono Mountain Regional EMS is hurting. 

The first responders serve six communities in Monroe County but say their call volume is down by 25% since the crisis hit, which affects their bottom line.

Fewer calls mean fewer insurance reimbursement payments, which make up a good portion of their budget.

Pocono Mountain Regional EMS is a non-profit and and receives a substantial amount of funding from the municipalities they cover, as well as periodic grants and subsidies from the government.

Business manager Nick DeWitt said he's hoping to receive some of the $50 million in funds from the Coronavirus Relief Act passed unanimously in the state legislature last week.

"This shouldn't be politics. This is to protect people and protect peoples lives," said Sen. Mario Scavello (R PA-40th).

It will be up to the governor's office to decide how the money will be distributed.

"We're looking at $250,000 to get us by for the next couple months. How long we could go down this path without any assistance? It's hard to say. We need support, we need funding. We need help out here. We are expected to be out on the front lines and now its time for the state and everyone else to support us," DeWitt said.

Pocono Mountain Regional EMS is still operating, running advance life support trucks out of all three stations.

But DeWitt said they've had to reduce the hours of certain units and eliminate two shifts until the cash flow problem is solved.

(source)

Last modified on Sunday, 12 April 2020 07:09