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There's no single golden ticket that will solve all of the county's emergency medical services response problems.
But there's no doubt that collaboration across municipal and jurisdictional lines will be a key element of the future of the service in Warren County.
Five municipalities are getting a jump on that.
Clarendon Borough as well as Mead, Pleasant, Cherry Grove and Sheffield townships will be considering ordinances to create a "multi-municipal emergency services commission," according to a legal notice published in Wednesday's Times Observer.
Clarendon Borough Councilman Paul Pascuzzi told the Council of Governments that the agreement is "pretty simple and fundamental."
The municipalities will be considering approval of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement that would create the organization aimed at "ensuring the long term sustainability of fire and emergency medical services for each of the respective municipalities and their residents," the notice states.
Pascuzzi acknowledged that the municipal officials acknowledge their obligation to provide fire and emergency medical services in their communities. That, he explained, has been historically provided by volunteers that are experiencing a "decrease in the number of active members" as well as revenue challenges that have "made it increasingly difficult to respond."
Each municipal entity will need to approve an ordinance to authorize the commission.
The outcome of the effort isn't yet clear.
"All the municipalities plan to form this commission with the specific purpose of determining the needs of the community," Pascuzzi said.
Cherry Grove Township will first consider the ordinance on April 11 at a 7 p.m. meeting. Pleasant will follow on April 12 in a meeting also scheduled for 7 p,m.
Officials in Sheffield (6 p.m.) and Mead (7 p.m.) will consider action on April 18 while Clarendon Borough will follow on the 19th at 6:30 p.m.