Warren, PA — Conewango Township has issued a press release in response to one released last week by the City of Warren.
The city said that the township owes them more than $13,000.00 in unpaid emergency service fees. Officials say the issue comes amid EMS shortages affecting not only Warren County but communities across the country.
Conewango Township leaders discussed the matter during a recent public meeting and outlined their position in a written statement.
Officials said they are meeting their responsibility to provide fire and emergency medical services through agreements with EmergyCare and the Starbrick Volunteer Fire Department. They also noted that, at times, their crews have responded to calls in the City of Warren through mutual aid, which can affect local availability.
David Larson, a concerned citizen, said, “I don’t agree with the idea that the city can charge us when they have to respond to our territory because our ambulance is on a call in their city. There is no fair trade.”
Conewango Township leaders said they have been working to address the situation since fall 2024, including offering mediation and sending multiple proposals to the city.
Jeff Zariczny, Conewango Township chairman, said, “We did not want to do this in a court of public opinion, but since the city’s release we’ve had to come up with a statement, and we feel that we are being coerced.”
The City of Warren responded, stating its recent press release was intended to encourage discussions with the township in order to avoid a legal complaint.
City officials said they currently have agreements with 10 other municipalities in the county aimed at improving emergency response times, and that a similar agreement was offered to Conewango Township.
The matter remains ongoing.