OLD FORGE -- An ambulance service in Lackawanna County has been shut down because it's been operating without some necessary insurance.
The problem is plaguing the borough of Old Forge but EMTs say affording insurance is a problem for all local ambulance services.
The borough manager in Old Forge told us that the accountant for Old Forge Ambulance sent her a letter saying the ambulance has been running for a few weeks without liability insurance. The ambulance is parked now and the EMTs who worked there may be out of a job.
Folks in Old Forge have backup ambulance coverage but it may cost them more.
These days in the heart of Old Forge, you might see as many as three different ambulance services whiz by, but not the hometown service. The Old Forge ambulance is parked in its garage and maybe indefinitely.
Borough officials say they have learned that Old Forge's privately run, paid ambulance service has been operating without liability insurance for several weeks. That's against the law. Until the borough hires another service, 911 dispatchers will send whichever crew is closest.
"As long as I'm covered it doesn't matter," said Old Forge resident Michael Matso, adding that he still feels safe.
"I'm worried about them. I hope that they can get insurance and everything and get it worked out," said Old Forge resident Kenneth Stoner.
The people who have needed Old Forge ambulance were the ones most bothered by the news. Other EMTs in Lackawanna County were bothered by it, too.
"I was amazed when I saw that this morning, that they were running without insurance. I would never, I would never leave the building without it. Not in this business, not in the ambulance business," said Blakely Ambulance president Frank Antenori.
Antenori says liability insurance could cost tens of thousands of dollars per year. It's getting harder for smaller services to afford. He also says that a ride may be harder for patients to afford. Larger private ambulance services tend to be more expensive than local ambulances.
"The first thing is, everybody knows everybody. That's what's nice about it, and they like to see someone come to their house that they know and that's going to help them, instead of a stranger, that's the first thing. And the second thing is the cost," said Antenori.
We made several attempts to reach someone with the Old Forge Ambulance Association but we were unable to reach anyone so, we do not know if there are plans for the service to return or if the EMTs and paramedics who work there have lost their jobs.