Officials from a local emergency provider say their response time continues to meet the needs of its coverage area.

Jason Breidinger, a member of the board of directors, and Kristie Wilk, executive director of Northern Valley EMS Inc. gave a presentation to Walnutport Borough Council on Thursday.

Wilk said that year-to-date, NOVA has responded to 94% of its calls; that its average response time to Walnutport is 8.56 minutes (mutual aid came in five times in October); and its average overall response time is 8.76 minutes.

She noted they’ve been having some staffing issues, as there are six new staff members, and that they are looking to add two full-time paramedics.

Breidinger explained how big of an area NOVA services.

“We service a footprint that’s pretty large,” Breidinger said. “This year (2020) we need some help.”

Breidinger said the borough’s contribution to the core is currently $5,000 per year, and asked if council would consider upping that amount to $8,500 in 2020.

All money raised is currently used for operational costs, and NOVA wants to begin planning for truck replacement and needed building repairs, for which the additional funding would help support those capital expenses.

Breidinger said NOVA holds an annual subscription drive as a fundraiser, which provides NOVA with needed operational funds for the year.

Council President William Turk questioned what the borough’s response rate is, to which Wilk said it’s about 18%.

Turk said he believes there should be a bigger emphasis placed on that.

Regardless of whatever contribution the borough provides, Breidinger said things will continue to run smooth as ever.

“Could the borough survive without another $3,500, absolutely they would,” he said. “Could NOVA survive without (another) $3,500, absolutely.”

Breidinger said NOVA wants to ensure all the areas it serves are happy with the services they are receiving.

“This is why we’re here; the bigger picture of how can we all help each other,” he said. “No one’s saying ‘you have to do this, or you have to do that.’ ”

Turk questioned why it’s been taking so long for the ambulance to respond after the matter was discussed at last week’s council workshop.

“We appreciate you coming here,” Turk said. “(Last week), everybody was baffled here.”

Wilk stood by her assertion that NOVA is doing well with its response time.

“I’m not sure where that impression came from,” Wilk said. “I think we do a great job covering the area.”

Wilk added that at the county level, EMS agencies are working together to create an updated mutual aid plan to ensure that each area has EMS coverage during high call volume times, which will be really beneficial to the area.

NOVA is a provider of emergency advanced life support and basic life support medical transportation services, and serves more than 45,000 residents and visitors to the community, which includes Walnutport and Slatington; Washington, Heidelberg and North Whitehall townships, and portions of Lowhill Township.

It has operations located in the Ormrod building, the “South” Station, along with the “North” substation in Slatington, and the “West” substation in Heidelberg Township.