Lower Burrell Council agrees to shore up EMS’ increasing labor costs

Lower Burrell Council voted this week to give $77,000 to Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3’s EMS to help it weather increasing labor costs for emergency medical technicians.

The fire company approached city council last year asking for help.

During the pandemic, emergency calls spiked while medical insurance reimbursements declined, according to fire company officials. Adding to the financial stress is a hot labor market luring away EMT workers, which is a problem faced by ambulance companies across the state.

Although No. 3’s EMT workforce is stable, Mark Marmo, chief of Lower Burrell No. 3, said he is looking to continue to retain the company’s EMTs. Fire company officials approached council solely to provide better wages for the EMTs.

The money from the city will enable the service to increase starting wages by up to $3 an hour, which will make the pay competitive in the area, Marmo said.

The company refused to release wage information based on job titles or provide wage ranges. Marmo cited the range of wages based on tenure and personal privacy.

“Our EMS personnel are some of the most important people to the residents of Lower Burrell,” said Councilman Chris Fabry. “It is imperative that council step in and help them get through the current struggles.”

Council used money for its general fund for the special payment to Company No. 3, he said.

The money is a one-time payment to the fire company.

“I’m pleased that we’re able to help when it is needed,” Councilwoman Brandy Grieff said. “I look forward to continued progress and long-term solutions.”

There are 20 full-time and part-time paramedics with Lower Burrell’s ambulance service.

It is supported solely by reimbursements from medical insurance companies. The EMS company is a unit of the nonprofit fire company. They respond to 90% of the city’s emergency calls.

The fire company is not in danger of going under, Marmo said.

“We are grateful for council’s assistance and are hopeful that the financial assistance will bolster retention and attract prospective paramedics and emergency medical technicians,” said Marmo.

“We have some of the best pre-hospital personnel around, and they deserve to be better compensated for their expert services,” he said.

EMT wages vary by region and unit size statewide. According to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute in Harrisburg, wages for EMTs can start between $32,000 and $34,000.

Most do not have a pension or retirement program, according to the institute.