Middletown emergency squad warns of staffing shortages, outlines recruitment and funding plans

Scott Henley, director of operations for the Middletown Emergency Squad, told the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Oct. 3 that the nonprofit ambulance service is grappling with higher call volumes and a national shortage of EMS providers.

"We are here 24/7, 365," Henley said, noting the squad operates two stations and provides primary coverage to Hulmeville, Langhorne Borough and Manor, Middletown Township and Penndel Borough. He described annual call totals in Middletown of about 4,389 in 2019, roughly 4,203 in 2020 during the COVID drop, and about 4,727 in 2021, and said countywide trends showed a similar dip in 2020 and recovery in 2021.

Henley listed financial and workforce pressures: "Low pay, lack of pensions, provider fatigue and burnout," stagnant insurance reimbursements, and rising equipment costs. He gave examples of capital outlays that strain budgets: a $35,000 heart monitor, a $67,000 ambulance litter setup and ambulances that can cost between $110,000 and $250,000 depending on equipment.

To address shortages, Henley said the squad secured a grant to fund two full-time EMTs to attend paramedic training at Jefferson; "they're in their fourth week now" and are expected to finish in about eight to nine months and then serve as paramedics. He also described subscription revenue, targeted grant writing and proposed recruitment into nontraditional labor pools such as local high schools and large employers.

When asked how the squad's call volume ranks in Bucks County, Henley said the agency is "about the fourth busiest" in the county.

Board members thanked Henley and the board chair urged residents to support the volunteer nonprofit "whether it's financially or in any other way." Henley asked to keep an open line of communication with the supervisors; he said he has been speaking with township staff and local officials about ways the township can help stabilize the squad's operations.

The presentation ended with the board offering continued support and with Henley describing ongoing advocacy work in Harrisburg to press state lawmakers for EMS workforce and reimbursement reforms.