How This Process Began
More than a year and a half ago, local EMS providers and municipal leaders began addressing a growing challenge facing our communities: the long-term sustainability of emergency medical services. Declining revenues, rising operational costs, and staffing pressures made it clear that the existing model was no longer stable.
To address this, EMS leaders and municipal officials began a series of discussions focused on identifying a long-term, regional solution. From those discussions, a working group was formed consisting of appointed representatives from each participating municipality and the two local EMS agencies. Over the course of the past year and a half, this group met regularly to review data, evaluate options, and explore potential structures.
As the concept of a regional EMS authority emerged as the most viable solution, the group engaged professional consultants with experience in Pennsylvania EMS authority formation. Working together, the group and consultants developed the proposed framework for the Alle-Kiski Emergency Services Authority (AKESA), including draft governance documents and Articles of Incorporation.
To ensure transparency and public input, a community presentation and public meeting was held on December 4, 2025, at Highlands High School to explain the proposal, answer questions, and receive feedback from residents.
What Happens Next
January 14, 2026 – Joint Incorporation Hearing
A joint incorporation hearing will be held to formally consider the creation of the Alle-Kiski Emergency Services Authority. At this meeting, participating municipalities will discuss the proposal and vote on whether to adopt the ordinance and file the Articles of Incorporation.
Authority Formation and Organizational Meeting
If approved, the Authority will be legally created, and an initial organizational meeting will be held. Board members will be formally appointed in accordance with the approved structure.
Development of Service and Fee Plan
Following incorporation, the Authority Board will develop detailed service plans, operational policies, staffing structure, and a proposed EMS fee.
Public Fee Hearing
Before any fee can be enacted, the Authority is legally required to hold a public fee hearing. This hearing will allow residents to review the proposed services and fee structure and provide public comment.
Notice to Property Owners and Implementation
After the public hearing and Board action, written notice of the adopted service and fee plan will be provided to property owners, and the Authority will continue preparations to begin full operations.
This process has been deliberate, transparent, and collaborative, with the shared goal of ensuring reliable, high-quality, and financially sustainable emergency medical services for our communities now and into the future.
AKESA is a proposed public Emergency Services Authority formed under the Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act. Its purpose is to ensure reliable, professional, and financially sustainable emergency medical services for participating municipalities through a unified regional system.
Local EMS providers are facing serious challenges, including:
Rising operating costs
Staffing shortages
Declining subscription and donation revenue
Insurance reimbursements that cover only a portion of actual costs
Without a new approach, EMS service reliability is at risk. The Authority model provides a long-term, predictable funding structure and coordinated oversight to stabilize EMS for the future.
Discussions began more than a year and a half ago between EMS leaders and municipal officials. Since then, a working group of appointed representatives from EMS agencies and municipalities has met regularly, engaged professional consultants, and developed the proposed Authority framework.
Yes. The working group engaged professional consultants experienced in Pennsylvania EMS authorities to assist with evaluating options, developing the Authority structure, drafting governance documents, and preparing the Articles of Incorporation. Just as important was the inclusion of EMS and government leaders in the
A joint incorporation hearing will be held on January 14, 2026. At that meeting, participating municipalities will publicly consider the proposal and vote on whether to create the Authority.
If created, AKESA will be governed by a Board of Directors with members appointed by participating municipalities (and participating EMS providers, if applicable), as outlined in the approved governance structure.
All Board meetings will be public meetings in accordance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act is a state law that requires government decision-making to happen in public. If the EMS Authority is created, its Board meetings must be publicly advertised, open to the public, and allow residents to observe how decisions are discussed and made, with limited exceptions permitted by law.
AKESA would be funded through a combination of insurance reimbursements and an annual EMS fee paid by property owners in participating municipalities. Insurance reimbursements alone do not cover the full cost of providing 24/7 EMS readiness.
No. While a tentative fee has been discussed for planning purposes, the final fee has not been set.
After the Authority is formally created, the Board will develop a detailed service and fee plan.
Yes. State law requires a public fee hearing before any EMS fee can be enacted. Residents will have the opportunity to review the proposed services and fee structure and provide public comment before any final decision is made.
Consistent with Pennsylvania law, the EMS fee would be billed to property owners, not renters. Property owners may decide independently whether and how to pass the cost on to tenants.
AKESA is designed to reduce or eliminate surprise EMS bills by stabilizing funding and standardizing billing practices. Specific billing policies will be set by the Authority Board and presented publicly before implementation.
AKESA will maintain mutual aid agreements with surrounding EMS providers to ensure that no emergency call goes unanswered.
If approved, the Authority would move through organizational steps in 2026, with the goal of beginning full operations after service plans, staffing, and funding mechanisms are finalized.
Updates, meeting notices, and public documents will be posted on this website as the process moves forward.