SCRANTON, Pa. (WOLF) — In response to a lawsuit filed by several townships, Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan assured residents that the county's 911 center will continue to prioritize dispatching the nearest available advanced life support (ALS) ambulance, despite municipal resolutions.
The lawsuit, filed on August 13 by Covington, Jefferson, Madison, Roaring Brook, and Springbrook Townships, seeks to compel the county to dispatch the Covington Independent Volunteer Fire Company's sole ALS unit to calls in nine North Pocono region townships, regardless of proximity. These townships have designated the fire company as their primary ALS provider, in accordance with state code for second-class townships.
However, the county's policy mandates dispatching the closest available ALS unit.
Al Kearney, county director of emergency services and 911 coordinator, highlighted the importance of this approach, noting that the Covington unit can sometimes be much farther from a call than another available unit.
The county employs a comprehensive GPS tracking system to monitor the location of all available units.
"If you’re experiencing a heart attack or stroke, or if you are injured or have another serious medical emergency, time is everything," said Gaughan. "We have a moral obligation to get people the help that they need as quickly as possible. This is about saving lives more so than municipal resolutions. Dispatching a unit that is farther away defies common sense."
County Solicitor Don Frederickson warned of potential legal liabilities if delays from dispatching a more distant unit result in further injury or death.