Port Matilda EMS Struggling for Funding

PORT MATILDA, Pa. (WJAC) — One local EMS service in Centre County is struggling financially and is calling for help.

The Port Matilda EMS started posting on its Facebook page about its financial needs last November. Since then the company has received some funds and a very generous anonymous donation.

In January, Port Matilda EMS hosted a soup sale for the community. A quart of soup was going for $6.

“He came in and asked for a quart of soup and he wrote a check out for $10,006. So, it was pretty crazy,” says Ken Maney, treasurer.

The service has 10 employees who alternate working 24 hours a day, for seven days a week. The municipalities always require Port Matilda EMS to have someone at the station.

“That $10,000 will get us just over one payroll,” says Maney. According to Maney, a payroll is about $8,000 every two weeks.

The service still fears a potential deficit.

“I think the issue is a nationwide issue. EMS is primarily based off billing. We are at the mercy of the billing companies like Blue Cross, Blue Shield, etc., and what they send to us,” says Maney. “It’s a critical situation. Not just locally, but really all over.”

Outside companies have now seen the service’s struggle and have offered to help. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., located in State College, Pennsylvania, is one of them.

"It's surreal just to know that there’s people that see the EMS as a vital service and they’re willing to step up pretty much at any cost to make sure that we’re here for the community."

Although Port Matilda EMS is very grateful for the help it has already received, it says there’s still a lot more to be done.

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