If local volunteer fire departments and emergency services officials could solve the EMS services conundrum facing Warren County, they would have done so already.

Elected officials have to be part of the solution.

That’s why it’s disappointing only two elected officials participated in the most recent Council of Governments’ Fire Services Committee. Paul Pascuzzi, a Clarendon councilman, and county commissioner Ben Kafferlin were in attendance. They heard some encouraging news. Youngsville is scheduling people to be available in the evenings, which has decreased the department’s dropped call rate. Starbrick has decided to license its ambulance again, which helps provide a piece of the EMS services puzzle. Of course, Pascuzzi and Kafferlin heard the disappointing news that public education on the severity of the challenges facing EMS providers remains a difficult task and many agencies that have struggled in the past to have enough manpower to respond to calls are still struggling.

It’s understandable that some Fire Services Committee meetings can feel redundant. There are only so many times one can hear about the same struggles to respond to EMS calls month after month before one’s eyes glaze over. But why are Warren County residents supposed to care if the men and women who seek elected office can’t be bothered to attend meetings where the search for a solution is held?

We hold elections to decide who represents us in these meetings. More of the men and women for whom we have voted need to attend Fire Services Committee meetings.