CLEARFIELD – A group of individuals dedicated to helping others is looking for a little help themselves.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Terry Wigfield, Executive Director of the Clearfield EMS, spoke to the Lawrence Township Supervisor for assistance to pay for a new ambulance.
Wigfield said over the past decade, Clearfield EMS has faced more and more challenges to maintaining their services, due to increasing costs of equipment and technology. He said one of the biggest challenges Clearfield EMS faces, is the increased number of trips the ambulance crews are making to and from DuBois.
Wigfield said Clearfield EMS receives no tax money and they have to supply their own equipment, supplies, and drugs, when these items had been previously supplied by the Clearfield Hospital.
Wigfield said Clearfield EMS is pursuing a FEMA grant, which would cover part of the costs of purchasing a new ambulance, but could use help from the township. Wigfield said he had spoken to Rep. Tommy Sankey and Sankey suggested Wigfield contact the township to see if the supervisors could contribute some of the township’s Act 13 money.
Wigfield said the estimated cost of the ambulance would be about $200,000, and that he is asking the township to consider contributing $50,000.
Supervisor Bill Lawhead asked Wigfield if Clearfield EMS has approached any of the other municipalities, such as Clearfield Borough, Goshen Township, Bradford Township, and even Clearfield County, to see if they would be willing to contribute. Lawhead said while Lawrence Township receives the largest amount of Act 13 money, other communities that Clearfield EMS serves also receive Act 13 funding and might be willing to help.
Wigfield said he had not been aware that these other municipalities also received Act 13 money and that he would be willing to approach them for help as well.
Lawhead said he and the other supervisors would consider Wigfield’s request.