Bristol Twp. Could Eliminate Use Of Bucks County Rescue Squad

Bristol Township is moving forward with a plan to replace the Bucks County Rescue Squad in the portion of the township that it covers.

According to an ordinance that Council plans to vote on at their May 17 meeting, the township is looking to assign the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad to respond to the area currently covered by the Bucks County Rescue Squad.

A copy of the ordinance viewed by LevittownNow.com said that the change could happen as soon as June 1 July 1.

Two sources in the emergency services community said residents would continue to receive uninterrupted service during any potential change.

The Bucks County Rescue Squad’s primary coverage area spans the Bristol, West Bristol, and Croydon sections, serving thousands of residents and those who pass through the area on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-95, and Route 13. All of Bristol Borough is also served by the service.

In addition, the Bucks County Rescue Squad often responds as mutual aid to assist other area medic squads.

Township officials declined comment on the reason for the proposed change.

Bristol Borough Manager James Dillon said Bristol Township has “not conveyed their basis for removing Bucks County Rescue Squad.” He added that borough Council and the mayor would make sure emergency medical care for residents is provided.

A number of emergency responders and local government sources have confirmed eliminating the squad from its service area in Bristol Township would likely put it out of business or dramatically reduce the number of staff and ambulances. If removed from Bristol Township, the only primary response and service area for the Bucks County Rescue Squad would be Bristol Borough. The borough’s small size would likely make it unsustainable for the squad to continue to operate with the level of service it currently offers.

The Bucks County Rescue Squad and others in the lower portion of the county have faced some financial challenges in recent years due to unpaid bills by patients, changing regulations, rising operations costs, and other factors, but they have remained able to stay open and provide service.

A representative for the Bucks County Rescue Squad declined comment at this time.

Numerous local emergency responders said they were caught off-guard when they learned of the proposed ordinance after a public notice was released by Bristol Township Wednesday.

Sources familiar with the situation said the township has spoken with the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad about taking over the additional coverage area. The sources declined to speak further on the talks or when they happened. A call to the chief of operations for the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad was not immediately returned.

One official, who asked not to have their name published, said the situation was not about one rescue squad looking to overtake another but the township administration pushing their plan forward.

Bucks County Rescue Squad employees and supporters have posted on Facebook asking residents to contact Bristol Township in an attempt to stop the plan from moving forward.

The Bucks County Rescue Squad is based next to Lower Bucks Hospital and has been in operation for more than 80 years. It offers basic and advanced life support care. Over the years, it has grown with the community and operates several ambulances staffed with professionals.

The potential setback does not mark the first for the rescue squad. In the mid-1990s, the Bucks County Rescue Squad’s previous headquarters on Otter Street in Bristol Borough burnt to the ground and all of the group’s vehicles were destroyed. With help from area emergency responders and the community, the squad was able to continue serving and fundraise to build their current facility.