Charleroi, Donora address ambulance issues

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Two communities have asked to meet with the leadership of Mon Valley EMS to discuss some recent concerns.

Bill Hess, Mon Valley EMS chief, attended this week’s Charleroi Borough Council meeting to talk to its members about an anonymous letter that complained about response times.

According to Charleroi Council President Mark Alterici, the letter was sent to several area communities that use Mon Valley EMS with complaints that ambulance response times have gotten too slow.

“Normally, if it’s an anonymous letter, I wouldn’t even consider it,” Alterici said, adding that if someone doesn’t feel strongly enough about something to sign their name, he usually won’t put any stock into it. “But because it was about public safety, I thought we should at least talk to (Hess) about it.”

Alterici said he felt better about the situation after council heard from Hess.   

“We heard him talk about the trouble they’re having with staffing,” Alterici said. “And in talking with the firefighters, they’ve also said it’s a standard issue and they haven’t seen any issues with (Hess).”

As a business owner, Alterici said, he can understand that Hess is having trouble finding people to work right now.

“I feel he’s genuinely trying to do it,” Alterici said. “From the way he’s explained it and in talking to the firefighters, sometimes there might be longer delays and he’s trying to do the best to keep that from happening.”

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