EMS agencies are at risk.
A new model for emergency services is needed.
The Indiana County Municipal Emergency Services Authority is the solution.
After a collaborative process with local municipal, community and healthcare leaders, the County of Indiana has formally incorporated the Indiana County Municipal Emergency Services Authority (ICMESA), the first countywide emergency services authority in Pennsylvania.
ICMESA is now building a sustainable, accountable, and community-rooted system to fund and deliver emergency medical services for 31 participating municipalities in the county. ICMESA plans to be operational and begin providing services by early 2026.
Why was ICMESA Formed?
EMS agencies in Indiana County are at risk of closure due to insufficient revenue and rising costs.
- Voluntary annual membership subscriptions, which help fund EMS services, are declining
- Insurance reimburses only part of the cost, not the entire cost, of EMS agency services
- The current model to fund EMS (staff, facilities, apparatus, equipment, maintenance, training) is unsustainable
In Indiana County, Life Stat Ambulance shut down in December 2024 after 36 years of service. Citizens’ Ambulance Service is struggling, as voluntary membership subscriptions have steeply declined during the past decade.
Citizens’ Ambulance Service Membership Subscriptions
A Countywide Sustainable Solution
With sponsorship and support from Indiana County’s commissioners, a working group of community leaders studied the county’s EMS system and developed the framework for the Indiana County Municipal Emergency Services Authority.
Municipal-Led: Formed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act, the authority is led by representatives of local participating municipalities, providing community oversight and management for the countywide EMS system.
Local Board: The authority board consists of nine members (one from each of 8 municipal districts and a representative from the County). Each district contributes to the management of the authority through their district subcommittees.
Public Funding: Once operational, the authority will charge all property owners an annual fee to fund its operation. The mandatory fee is anticipated to be on par with EMS agency member subscription rates. The fee will replace EMS agency volunteer member subscriptions.
Benefits For The Community
Sustainable model for emergency services
24/7 readiness to respond to EMS calls
Accessible local board leadership
Local planning and decision-making
Public meetings and transparency