The Public Opinion Soapbox

mik27 · Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 3

To my suprise the awnser is no. I did a little investigative work after recently needing and ambulance on Grindstone hill Rd out near Marion Rd. After waiting about 15 mins for an ambulance I was furious and to my surprise the ambulance was from Greencastle. I asked why Marion did not come and they told me I was in Antim township so my service came from them. I ask WHY!!! Why do I have to wait for an ambulance 9-10 miles away when there is one 2 1/2 miles away. How has this not been asked before, what should it matter what bourgh, township or county your in, when I call for help why would we not get the closest service. Im only mentioning a couple dept's because its all I checked on but Im sure it is like this in other area's as well. I also found out that the township supervisors are responsible for signing off on which Fire dept goes where. How is Greencastle going to almost in Marion and clear out to State Line wouldnt Maugansville be alot closer. There was a call for assistance from a State Trooper about 2 months ago, he was requesting EMS for a motorist on the Exit 10 on ramp in Marion. The ambulance that responded was Greencastle again, the Trooper was enraged by how long he waited when there was an ambulance 1 mile away but he waited for one that was 8 miles away. The trooper asked Marion why they did not come? was no one there to get the ambulance on the street or what? There was staff at the station but from exit 10 to State line belongs to Greencastle and is dispatched through 911 that way. Im sorry but if im a 911 dispatcher and there is a call for help at the Marion exit why on earth would I call for Greencastle??? Yesterday I passed an accident at Kauffman rd and Rt 11(by crossroads Dairy) once again Greencastle fire dept was there, I drove a mile down the road and Marion's fire trucks are sitting at their firehouse and abunch of people were there, why did they not come?? I did learn that Marion does run a small portion of Antrim township consisting of clayhill rd between Rt. 11 and Grindston hill and a small area out Kauffman rd west by Lehmans Egg factory however if im involved in an accident in from of Gibbles resturant why does greencastle come 4 1/2 miles when Marion is less than 2 miles away. Like I said im sorry for only mentioning a couple dept's im sure there's more, If I were you I would find out who would respond to your house. TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS!!! PLEASE FIX THIS!!!. I found this all surprising and shocking that this is aloud to occur. I can assure you if it's me, my lawyer will be in someone's butt asking WHY !!!!!!

paul_milander · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 581 Location: Shippensburg, PA

I have been arguing about things like that for 30 years now. This whole it is in "our Township" crap is wrong, because as you said if you live on the edge of one and your twonship fire and rescue is further away than the one next door you have to wait.
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Horses mouth · Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

In reference to the Antrim Twp / Guilford Twp boundries and response areas. Obviously you didn't do enough homework! If you were a 911 dispatcher you still wouldn't send Marion over Greencastle to a call at exit 10 or Grindstone Hill road or anywhere else for that matter because the dispatchers have to go by what is listed for the response area NO EXCEPTIONS! Also the crash you went past you didn't do enough homework there either! For your information there is a dual response from Marion and Greencastle in that area and probably the reason you seen so many folks at the Marion station is because they probably returned from the crash because they were placed available by Greencastle when units arrived so they could go back and cover thier own area. Why have 2 departments there when you only need one? Do me a favor before you post your opinions about "facts" you think you have don't!