Eddystone mulls changes for EMT workers

EDDYSTONE >> The borough fire company is now considering a proposal from council to assume responsibility for EMT services that comes with an annual contribution of $80,000, payable over four quarters, for the administration of the emergency medical personnel. The proposal also includes $2,400 for the first year to help the fire company offset expenses of setting up a payroll system.

“They (EMTs) will be working for the fire company, not the borough,” council President Karen Reeves explained.

Reeves said the proposal to the fire company must be either accepted or rejected by Dec. 31.

“We’ll work with them,” she added.

According to Reeves, there are currently nine part-time EMTs who are paid $14 an hour. Shifts run from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with two people on staff, an ambulance driver and an EMT. She denied reports that the council wants to get rid of the EMTs.

“It is not a case of getting rid of the ambulance. What we want is to have the fire company help contribute to the EMTs’ hours,” Reeves said.

Council issued the following statement: “The Borough of Eddystone is looking at options of the paid EMTs. We are trying to make it work for both the borough residents and the EMTs to provide the best services to the residents. The borough council will continue to work until the last minute to make sure that everyone in the borough is safe.”

Fire company President Bill DeMatteo commented on the council’s proposal, saying the fire company is working to do everything it can to bridge the gap between the company and the council.

“We are open to working with the borough to find an equitable solution to maintain the services of the EMTs our residents deserve,” DeMatteo noted, adding that the mission and goals of the 118-year-old fire company is to maintain the life and property of borough residents. He also said the fire company is not logistically set up to become an employer while the borough is already set up as an employer.

“To be honest, I have blinders on. I’m not a businessman. We will do our best and hopefully we will make it work,” DeMatteo said, adding that there will be meetings of the fire company’s executive board to discuss the council’s proposal.