Ensuring emergency medical services in Warren County was a huge challenge only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the southwest corner of the county, it’s getting a little more complicated.

The Tidioute Area Volunteer Fire Department’s current operation has included contracts with the surrounding municipalities — Tidioute Borough and Limestone, Watson, Triumph and Deerfield townships — for fire and EMS service.

Deerfield is on the brink of being left out of that arrangement for 2021.

Tidioute posted to Facebook a letter being sent to property owners in Deerfield Township. The Times Observer discussed the issue with officials who confirmed the underlying situation.

That letter outlines that Tidioute VFD and Deerfield Township have been unable to come to terms on a contract for service for 2021.

“We regret to inform you that because of the supervisors’ decision, as of January 1, 2021, your Fire and Ambulance coverage will no longer be provided by the Tidioute Area Volunteer Fire Dept,” the letter states.

“This decision by the supervisors on your behalf will undoubtedly cause delays in emergency response times should the need for fire or ambulance service to your location arise.”

The arguments in this situation are similar to those discussed by Warren City Council in an agreement with Pleasant Township on a pilot program — a department can’t reserve assets but it’s also the municipality’s obligation to provide service for its residents.

Tidioute claims that Deerfield has offered $5,000 per year but that the other townships have agreed to pay a two mill fire tax equivalency.

The purported shortfall created with the township’s offer: $2,389.20. As a result, the departments said they are “unable to accept your supervisors’ offer of less for the same services.

“Should the township choose to pay the additional $2,389.20 per year along with the $5,000.00 that they have offered, and sign our contract, we will once again be happy to provide fire and ambulance coverage to Deerfield Township residents/taxpayers,” Tidioute VFD stated.

“We are aware of the Facebook posting from earlier today,” Bill McClincy, executive director of EMMCO West, Inc., the northwestern Pennsylvania regional EMS council, said. “The Pa. Department of Health, Bureau of EMS, has been appraised of the matter.”

Additional questions on the legality of withholding service were unanswered by the Department of Health at press time.