Ambulance maintenance has left some gaps in the ability to respond to calls during the day.

Public Safety Director Ken McCorrison told the Council of Governments on Wednesday that ambulance in Youngsville, Pleasant and Grand Valley are currently out of service for maintenance and mechanical reasons.

He said that leaves five volunteer agencies – as well as the City of Warren and EmergyCare – for response in the county, especially during the day.

EMS challenges don’t stop at county lines and the COG heard a little bit about that last night.

McCorrison said the Forest County Commissioners purchase two ambulances and are “working on an agreement to cover the entire county.”

The Tionesta Ambulance Service, he explained, had some paid staff during the day with volunteers serving in the evening but has struggled to keep staff.

“I really don’t think it’s a financial thing,” he said, noting that several days a week during the day “they’re not available for calls.”

COG chair Paul Pascuzzi said that does impact the Tidioute VFD.

“(We) only got six or seven people in the fire department that are active,” Tidioute Mayor Henry Brown said. “You do the math.”

RECRUITMENT AT THE FAIR

With the Warren County Fair starting Monday and drawing in thousands, officials are looking to use that as a recruitment tool for the volunteer services.

Rich Barrett said plans are in the works for a mock crash extraction during Stock Car Football “to show people what it takes, hoping to spur some interest for new members.”

Mock crash scenes can feel pretty realistic and that’s part of the goal, emphasizing both delays in response and the nature of the incident.

McCorrison said county staff will be on hand at the fair all week just focused on recruitment for the fire service.

“We’re trying all sorts of things,” Barrett said. “Unfortunately our numbers are still depleting.”

He estimated that the average department has 10 people that are active and consistently responding.