Rescue Squad Ballot Question Pursued In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Bensalem's Rescue Squad Director Thomas Topley said the cost might be as much as a plain pizza.

But that cost —possibly $25 a year for the average resident —would help fund the operations of the ambulance and rescue squad as it competes to attract candidates as its staffing continues to shrink and calls continue to rise.

At its meeting Monday night, Bensalem Township Council unanimously approved a resolution asking the Bucks County Board of Elections to place the funding question on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.

The question would read: "Shall the township council be authorized to increase the real property tax for the operation and maintenance of the ambulance and rescue squad serving the township by an additional 1 mill?"

"There should be no reason residents don't vote for this," Council Vice President Joseph Pilieri said. "What is my life worth? $20, 30? It's worth that to protect your family."

Pelieri supported the measure, saying that with 65,500 people in the township, transients, and Parx Casino, "you have so many things that you run for calls and do rescues on. We have to become competitive and take care of our people."

Township Solicitor Joseph Pizzo said with the council's approval, the county elections board will review the question and then decide whether it should be placed on the Nov. 7 ballot. No timetable was given about how long that review will take.

Topley, who has led the rescue squad since 1994, said the squad has not had a tax increase since 2010. He said in 2020, a similar referendum was placed before voters, but rejected.

Topley said that was during the pandemic when people were struggling and many were out of work.

That ballot question sought funds to update the rescue squad's fleet and equipment like 15-year-old heart monitors, but thanks to the support of local legislators like state Sen. Frank Farry and state Rep. Kathleen Tomlinson, the rescue squad was able to make those upgrades.

Now, the squad faces staffing shortages that have plagued others nationwide as well.

Topley said that his squad has lost veterans with experience of 10 and 20 years because its salaries are not competitive. Some have fled to New Jersey, where pay is $10 more per hour, he said.

"We are very low in salary. People are working overtime and suffering burnout," said Topley, adding that half of his staff has been on the job for only 18 months.

He said that salaries for paramedics and EMTs need to rise.

Topley said his squad handles about 8,600 to 9,000 calls a year and about 12 to 15 percent of Bucks County's overall call volume.

Even if voters approve the ballot question, the township would have to collect the money, meaning that the squad wouldn't see funds until December 2024 or January 2025 at the earliest.