Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association is back to being solvent, and will serve as the primary Basic Life Support provider for Mahoning Township.

On a 4-0 vote, supervisors last week appointed Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association as the primary Basic Life Support provider for all of the township. Supervisor Brian Reeser was absent.

Paul Waddell Jr., director of operations, spoke at the meeting. He was joined by Darin Dotter, a member of the board of directors, and Andy Rivera, a driver.

The association went through some changes and the call volume decreased.

“Once (call volume) decreased, we were never granted all of Mahoning Township for primary BLS,” Waddell said. “We felt as Mahoning Valley Ambulance, we should have all of Mahoning Township for BLS coverage,” Waddell said.

“Coverage area was something we looked to do to make sure our primary EMS unit could be an emergency 911 unit only, and having a higher call volume allows for that vehicle to be financially sustainable.”

Waddell added, “With having all of Mahoning Township, our first due EMS unit is going to be a 911 unit only. Then we look to put up a secondary unit to assist in any secondary 911 calls and nonemergency transports.”

Waddell said after the meeting that Lehighton Ambulance Association will be the primary Advanced Life Support for the township.

As of April 1, Waddell said the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association no longer provided EMS coverage to the Weatherly, Packer and surrounding areas.

Waddell attributed that in January to “financial barriers and staffing dilemmas (that) have created circumstances that make it unfeasible to remain in two areas.”

He said at that time Mahoning would provide service to all of those areas until April 30.

Waddell said at that time the plan was to remain in service covering Mahoning Township and surrounding areas beyond April 30.

He said after Wednesday’s supervisors meeting that Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association never stopped providing service to Mahoning Township.

In December, Robert Miller, treasurer of the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association, appeared at a Mahoning Township board of supervisors meeting and said the organization could use financial support, and was in search of suggestions.

Miller cited the high costs of fuel, electric, and insurance among the driving factors, and noted that all the ambulance corps are affected.

Miller said he attended the meeting to ask for the board’s ideas.

Also on Wednesday, supervisors approved a grant request by Mahoning Valley Ambulance for a 4-wheel drive conversion kit.

Waddell asked for a letter of support from the municipality, which the board granted.