POLAND — The Western Reserve Joint Fire District is looking to take the next step in its ambulance service this summer by having an ambulance at each station and one backup.

It all started in 2022 when ambulance calls were taking as long as 30 minutes to respond. It was the time for the WRJFD to step up service and help ensure a quick response to those in need. Voters agreed and passed a 2.75-mill levy for the WRJFD to staff two ambulances around the clock. That levy passed with nearly 69% yes votes.

The following summer, the ambulance service went on line. Chief David “Chip” Comstock said it takes 17,520 hours per year to have two people working 24 hours for 365 days each year. It also would take 12 to 14 paramedics.

Those numbers were met and this month, there are three ambulances in the district with two at Station 92, 7619 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Road, and a third one at Station 93, 2050 S. Hubbard Road.

“Station 91 has no ambulance,” said WRJFD Board of Directors member Mike Thompson. “The goal is to locate an ambulance at Station 91 (111 S. Main St. in Poland Village).”

Placing an ambulance at Station 91 meant ordering a new one. That was done three years ago, according to Comstock. He said Poland and Canfield both ordered new ambulances three years ago and both will be receiving them this year.

“It takes that long to get a new one,” Comstock said. “And they cost roughly $270,000.”

The new Poland ambulance is expected in the second quarter this year and will be the one to be housed at Station 91.

Comstock is staffing Station 92 around the clock by using part-time employees. The WRJFD has 86 part-time employees, with most being trained as either a paramedic or an EMT.

When two calls go out for service at the same time, the Station 92 ambulance rolls out and the second ambulance will go if call-out crew members are available. If the staff is not available, mutual aid is requested.

Comstock added when both ambulances are out at once and a third is needed, it is either mutual aid or the ambulance from Station 93 on “the hill.” That ambulance would have to run through Lowellville and risk catching a train.

A lot of burden will be eased when the Station 91 ambulance arrives and is put into service.

Another upgrade Comstock is looking at is the purchase of four heart monitors to be placed in each ambulance. The monitors normally cost around $5,400, but if departments go together to order 10 through University Hospital, they can get a discount price of $5,000.

“We are going in with Canfield (four) and Springfield (two) to make up the 10 and get the discount,” he said.

The WRJFD serves Poland Village and Poland Township.