Carnegie names Scott, Collier as new EMS providers

Carnegie officials on Monday named Scott and Collier as the borough’s emergency medical service providers.

The two nearby municipalities, each of which has three volunteer fire companies, will replace the former Carnegie Emergency Medical Services, which was shut down last week after the organization did not pay workers' compensation insurance.

Borough Manager Steve Beuter issued this statement late last week: “As of Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, the Borough of Carnegie learned that the Carnegie EMS Department was suspending services, effective immediately. Carnegie Borough officials notified Allegheny County 911 of the situation to ensure EMS coverage within the borough.”

Since then, it has been decided Scott's Glendale Hose Company No. 1 on Carothers Avenue and NorthWest EMS in Crafton and Collier will provide emergency medical services for Carnegie.

“We're fine,” said Carnegie Council President Susan Demko following Monday's lengthy meeting. “We have to protect the community. We wanted to stress to the people that we have a back-up that's close.”

Carnegie EMS members have been informed that it is illegal for them to operate without workers' compensation insurance.

In February 2016, Carnegie EMS filed a petition for Chapter 11 reorganization in Western District of Pa./U.S. Bankruptcy Court that indicated its liabilities far outweighed its assets.