Northern Dauphin municipalities form EMS authority to address funding challenges

Six municipalities in upper Dauphin County approved the incorporation of the Northern Dauphin Emergency Services Authority.

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  Haley O'Brien joined WITF in 2026. A native of Scranton, she enjoys exploring Pennsylvania's diverse communities. Haley previously worked at NPR/PBS stations in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, and has won awards for video storytelling and beat reporting.

Six municipalities in northern Dauphin County have voted to incorporate a joint authority to oversee emergency medical services as communities across Pennsylvania grapple with rising costs and staffing shortages.

Gratz, Millersburg and Pillow boroughs and Upper Paxton, Halifax and Mifflin Townships unanimously approved the creation of the Northern Dauphin Emergency Services Authority during a meeting Tuesday night.

“The door is open to the other municipalities in the area,” said Chris Dietz, project coordinator from the Upper Dauphin Council of Governments (COG).

With the authority now officially incorporated, board members can begin making decisions about funding and the future structure of emergency medical services in the region. The group plans to meet again in the coming months.

Each municipality also appointed a representative to the board.

The group met monthly for two years to determine a solution to funding challenges and dwindling resources.

“Something has to give,” Mifflin Township Supervisor Jordan Shetterly said. “It’s to help the people of the local ambulance companies … They work for two or more companies.”

Board members for the Millersburg Area Ambulance Association say finances are strained due to the change from volunteer to paid EMTs. They say training is more expensive and calls are more frequent.

Dietz called the vote a success.

“It’s a tough thing to get folks to work together but EMS is such an important component to our society and the volunteer days where an ambulance definitely was going to be there when you called aren’t here anymore so we to really make sure that we’re being thoughtful.”