EMS service in doubt?

NORWALK — Officials from across Huron and Erie counties met Thursday at Fisher-Titus Medical Center to confront the future of North Central EMS after the hospital signaled that its ongoing subsidies for the service cannot continue at current levels. North Central EMS, based in Milan, is a nonprofit emergency medical services group owned by Fisher-Titus, according to the hospital's website, and serves an area including Huron, Erie, Ottawa, Lorain, Sandusky and Seneca counties. The meeting, called by Matt Mattner, chief operating officer of Fisher-Titus Health, brought together nearly 40 township trustees, fiscal officers, and city representatives, and sought input from local governments on creating a joint ambulance district. If such a district was created, it wasn't clear how it would impact North Central's operations. Also present were Huron County commissioner Brad Mesenburg, Erie County commissioner Matt Old and Huron County auditor Roland Tkach. Financial strains Mattner outlined two decades of financial data, showing North Central's emergency services division has not been profitable from 2001 through 2023. The only years with a positive margin — 2001, 2002 and 2005 — came largely from transportation contracts in Sandusky and Erie counties. From 2019 to 2024, Fisher-Titus contributed an average of $855,000 annually in subsidies, along with $285,000 in capital investments, for a total of about $1.14 million each year. Local townships and municipalities currently add about $620,000 annually. In all, Fisher-Titus reports covering more than $10.6 million in operating losses since 2001, plus $2.1 million in capital expenses since 2015. Hospital officials pointed to declining insurance reimbursements as a key factor in the deficits. Questions on responsibility During a question-and-answer session, township leaders sought clarity on what forming a joint ambulance district would entail, including the level of funding required and how a levy might be structured. Mesenburg drew on his experience with the Vermilion River Ambulance District to explain governance and funding options. "The townships would need to get together and decide if they want to form a new district," he said. "The Ohio Revised Code provides guidelines to doing that. That is what this meeting is about, is there an interest?" Mattner said his preferred timeline would have a district organized by August 2026, with a levy on the November 2026 ballot, although most of those in attendance expressed doubts in the feasibility of that timeline. "That sounds like a long time, but it's really not in government speak," said one of the attendees. "I doubt you could get a bid out on painting a garage by then," added another. While several officials acknowledged the financial challenges Fisher-Titus faces, others expressed concern about shifting the burden onto local governments and taxpayers. "I have no idea how we are going to get another levy passed," said an attendee from Fairfield Township. "The people are just tired of taxes." With local leaders questioning the feasibility of residents agreeing to vote for additional levies, one leader was focused on the "very real possibility" her community could lose EMS service altogether. "Ambulance service is not considered a vital public service like police and fire, and we are not required to provide service," she said. "It's scary." Old committed to meeting with townships in his county. In Huron County, Norwalk safety services director Angie Smith will host a follow-up meeting on Sept. 25. Thompson Township in Seneca County will also be included in future discussions. Decision point in October Fisher-Titus has asked each township to state by Oct. 23 whether it is willing to participate in forming a district. "This is a regional challenge that requires a regional solution," Mattner said, urging officials to weigh the long-term stability of emergency medical services.