|
March 2011
From a financial standpoint, the past few years have been difficult for many people. The same is true of your Shaler
Emergency Medical Service. Rising costs, lower insurance reimbursements, increasing number of patients unable
to pay for EMS services, and other factors are jeopardizing our ability to provide you with quality emergency
medical services.
Shaler EMS has taken many steps to reduce our expenses. We have also been working very closely with Shaler
Township which has been providing services to help further reduce our costs. Belt tightening alone, however, is not
enough. Each year Shaler EMS goes further into debt as our expenses exceed our revenue.
Consequently we have had to delay important, major purchases, such as new ambulances and life saving heart
monitors. We cannot continue to operate in this manner.
Shaler EMS has three ambulances, the oldest of which is ten years old and has 120,000 miles on its odometer.
Our newest ambulance is six years old and has traveled 95,000 miles. Older equipment requires frequent maintenance
and repairs. Keep in mind that when an ambulance is out of service, calls are answered by agencies from other
communities which increases the time it takes for an ambulance to get to you. The cost of one new ambulance is
in excess of $125,000.
We are extremely grateful to our subscribers. Shaler EMS has the highest voluntary subscription participation of
which we are aware. Nearly 40% of the households in our community participate. But that means that six out of
ten do not subscribe to our service which is jeopardizing our ability to stay in
business
We need your help. Encourage your friends and neighbors to subscribe and please consider making a donation to
enable us to buy the equipment we need to serve you. We understand that many of our residents, just like Shaler
EMS, are on tight budgets. If you are able to pledge a donation and make payments over time we will be happy
to work with you to make the necessary arrangements for your convenience.
We can only respond to our citizens if we are able to stay in business and have reliable equipment. Please help us
to be there when you need us. Please make a tax deductible donation in addition to subscribing to Shaler EMS.
Thank you for your consideration.
|
