West Penn Township has revisited funding to ambulance associations that assist in covering 911 calls in the township.

Supervisor Glenn Hummel brought the matter back to the table at Monday morning’s board of supervisors meeting.

“We have to fix this,” Hummel said.

Hummel said that Penn Mahoning covers 57% of its calls, while Tamaqua Community Ambulance handles the other 43%.

He then asked if the township could designate Tamaqua Community Ambulance as its primary responder when Penn Mahoning isn’t available.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte suggested that the township talk to both ambulance companies to get things squared away.

Hummel said that the township has money set aside for the ambulance.

Datte told Hummel the township has total control over how that money is spent, and therefore, it’s up to them to decide.

“My intent is not to close the doors to Penn Mahoning Ambulance,” Hummel said.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said he didn’t want residents to get a false impression.

“I just don’t want anyone to think we don’t have coverage in the township 100% of the time,” Prudenti said. “I think we need to compensate people who are coming to help us.”

Hummel then explained his thought process.

“Have Penn Mahoning (as primary), but when they’re not available, have Tamaqua (Ambulance) as primary,” Hummel said. “This is strictly for when (Penn Mahoning) are out of service.”

Prudenti said he would be in favor of them providing the township with a bill, and to possibly work out a new agreement with Tamaqua to come up with a method as to how the township would pay them.

Hummel said that one way or the other, “it needs to be fixed.”

After an executive session, supervisors agreed to reach out to 911 to ask for their preferential coverage provider to the township.

In January, representatives from Tamaqua Community Ambulance, Penn Mahoning and Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association attended the township’s board of supervisors meeting.

West Penn Township said then it needed more time before it commits to providing more funding to ambulance associations that assist in covering 911 calls in the township.