South Lebanon Township reviews EMS response concerns

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Questions over emergency response coverage in South Lebanon Township surfaced again after residents and first responders raised concerns about how calls are being dispatched since the township changed its primary emergency responder.

In February, township supervisors designated First Aid & Safety Patrol as the township’s primary responder. Since that decision, officials have received questions about whether Schaefferstown EMS responders can continue receiving calls in the township, particularly because several of their members live within South Lebanon Township.

“Our main concern is that we have multiple providers in South Lebanon Township, and just the other night I was sitting on my front porch as the on-duty crew, and I watched a first-aid truck go past my house to my neighbor,” said Phares Hoover, deputy chief of Schaefferstown EMS. “I could have probably been there in a tenth of the time with what they needed. We’re not after it for the money value, it’s to serve our community.”

Supervisors said they were under the impression that the matter had already been resolved among the involved emergency service providers.

Hoover explained that the solution proposed to them was where the on-duty crew receives the dispatch page regardless of whether one of their own units is available to respond. The concern is that this would quickly lead to burnout. 

“I respect what you’re trying to do here and we want to come up with an amicable solution,” said chairman Stephen Krause. 

Several residents spoke about past experiences where Schaefferstown EMS provided a quick response to emergency calls.

“The crew was right there, they were able to get right there and that was huge,” said one resident, a neighbor of Hoover, who experienced an emergency on his farm.

Township manager Jamie Yiengst plans to meet with emergency services on the matter.  

Supervisors also approved a final land development plan for 2200 State Drive after it was presented by Chad Smith of Steckbeck Engineering. Plans for the property include constructing two commercial properties with loading docks, paved lay down areas and parking lots. The plan had already been reviewed by the township planning commission.

One comment of concern that arose from the previous night’s planning meeting was as to why the fire hydrant in front of the property was out of service. Smith said he did not know why it wasn’t in service, and chairman Stephen Krause said he would like to explore what it would take to restore the hydrant to service.

Additionally supervisors approved two waivers for the property. The first waiver allows for a combined preliminary and final plan. The second requested an exemption from the township’s requirement to install fencing around the stormwater basin. Under the current ordinance, a fence would be required because of the basin’s depth.

In other news, supervisors: 

• Heard an update from Smith on the Cornwall-Lebanon School District improvement project, that the plans are still moving forward as scheduled, with the next phase including roadwork and parking lot improvements.  
• Held a public hearing for the Verizon franchise cable agreement, which would allow Verizon to bring Fios TV into the township. No public comments were made in the public hearing. The solicitor will advertise the agreement. 
• Approved the sale of the townships’ 2016 Chevy Silverado to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail for $35,000.
• Read a thank you letter from a pickleball league, which the township allowed to reserve courts at the park. The league made a $500 donation to the park. 
• Approved EDU application for 413 and 441 Meadow View Drive. 

South Lebanon Township supervisors will next meet on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. at 1800 S. 5th Ave., Lebanon. Meetings are open to the public.