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GIRARD -- City officials are looking at the feasibility of bringing back the fire department's ambulance service, which has not been operational since 2004 when the city was in fiscal emergency.
Council discussed the possibility at its meeting Monday.
Safety / Service Director Sal Ponzio said costs -- the largest factor -- need to be examined.
He said paramedics from the fire department respond to emergency calls, but Lane Ambulance is the one that transports people to the hospital not the fire department.
"We can help improve the fire department with our own ambulance service," Ponzio said.
Fourth Ward Councilman Thomas Grumley, chairman of the safety committee, said this is a safety issue for the city as firefighters sometimes wait 10 to 15 minutes for Lane's to show up at the emergency.
Michelle Davis with Medicount, which does emergency medical service billing, said the Mahoning Valley is unique in that fire departments use the services of a private company to transport people to the hospital while most counties in Ohio have fire departments with ambulances that do the transporting.
Davis said the private company only does nonemergency transports to doctors' offices.
Ponzio said Niles and Austintown also use Lane Ambulance for transport.
Fire Chief Jim Petruzzi said he wants to see how having the ambulance service will save the residents' money, which a feasibility study will help show. Grumley said what needs to be looked at is a steady revenue source to bring back the ambulance service.
Council will discuss the ambulance further at 6 p.m. Feb. 26, when Petruzzi will present the number of calls received for emergencies and what manpower in terms of hours and staffing will be needed for ambulance service.
In other business, Councilwoman at-Large Lilly Martuccio said the Wellman Theater committee is planning to look at inquiries for development for the historic theater on West Liberty Street.
Martuccio said the city had sought Appalachian funds for improving the theater but was not able to secure the funds.
Mayor Mark Zuppo said he has been in contact with Joseph Asente, a Girard teacher, about securing a grant writer to help with getting funds for the Wellman Theater project.
Also, Petruzzi said plans are to start a senior watch program with the fire department and the Girard Multi-Generational Center, and seek available grants for the program.