Douglass Township's new format to fund ambulance service, adopted two months ago, will soon make its first payments. During its next meeting, the township's supervisors are expected to make the first of two scheduled payments to responding crews.

            Manager Andrew Duncan does not anticipate any change in the services that are already being provided by the Gilbertsville ambulance and Bally ambulance, the township's two primary ambulance providers. However, Duncan claims it's too early for administrators to determine how the new system is working, according to his email response.

            Joshua Stouch, the supervisors chair, expressed satisfaction with the new system Monday. An advocate for the shift, he described its initial execution as appropriate.

            Under the new system, where crews are paid is based on the number of calls they respond to in the municipality, the Gilbertsville Area Community Ambulance Service is expected to receive approximately $268,782 in tax money during 2025. The Bally service will be paid approximately $43,218, according to Duncan.

            Both entities should receive half that amount during the July 6 meeting. An ordinance approved in May calls for a second payment to all responding agencies at the end of the year.

            In February, during an emergency services board meeting, Stouch estimated that the shift could lead to a decrease of $98,000 in the township's contribution to Gilbertsville ambulance service, a private entity headquartered at 91 Jackson Road, compared to last year. In 2024, the township allocated $312,500 generated through a 0.5 mill emergency services tax to the ambulance company.

            "Losing nearly $100,000 is a lot," said Angela Erb, the company's board representative, during the Feb. 10 meeting. "But we'll figure it out."

            An email message sent Monday to the address posted on the ambulance service's website for President Mark Landes – with multiple questions relating to the potential impact of the new funding model on the entity, the organization's fiscal standing and its relationships with neighboring municipalities – was not immediately returned.

            Municipal officials have no current operational knowledge of Gilbertsville ambulance, which covers two-thirds of the township, according to Duncan. In his responses, he described the monthly financial and operational reports – presented to the supervisors during the public meetings – as the extent of the relationship between the township and the service.

            Eight different companies responded to calls in the township last year, according to the manager. In May, Gilbertsville ambulance responded to 129 calls, 30 percent of which (39) were in the township.

            The agency also responded to Pottstown (26), New Hanover (21), Boyertown Borough (15), Upper Pottsgrove (15), Pennsburg (3), Colebrookdale, Washington Township and Lower Pottsgrove (2 each), and Amity (1).

            A document provided by New Hanover Manager Jamie Gwynn identifies the Gilbertsville service as one of four primary agencies.