GPRA Receives $300K ECED through Rep. Jim Haddock

PITTSTON — The two-year wait is over for the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance (GPRA) when State Rep. Jim Haddock delivered a $300,000 check to purchase a new ambulance tentatively arriving in 2027.

According to Atty. Michael Lombardo, GPRA maintains an eight-ambulance fleet at all times, but is currently down one vehicle.

“It’s difficult to go out and purchase a new ambulance every year, but because of our call volume of approximately 8,000 per year, that’s what we need to do,” Lombardo said. “Our vehicles are constantly running and we also need to have some in spare and some in reserve, so it’s necessary to maintain our fleet each and every year.”

Lombardo added when an ambulance isn’t out in the field and pressed into service, others might be used for such events as Wyoming Area and Pittston Area football games on stand-by or even the junior football games on Sunday.

“It’s hard to spend up to $400,000 a year for a new ambulance so we when to Rep. Haddock for help and we did that nearly two-years ago and the money is finally here.

Haddock found the money through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

“I know first-hand how important it is that the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance has a safe, reliable, and up-to-date fleet is important for our area,” Haddock said. “I’m proud to have helped secure $300,000 in funding to support the purchase of a brand-new ambulance. He continued, “Our EMS providers are the first people we turn to in an emergency and they deserve the reliable equipment and technology needed to do their job safely and effectively. Investing in these resources is an investment in the health, safety, and well-being of our entire community.”

Lombardo said the new service ambulance will cost upwards of $370,000 making the $300,000 grant valuable in not financing the entire purchase.

The GPRA is the basic and advanced life support provider for a large area of eastern Luzerne County. A community based, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization responds to approximately 8,000 calls for service each year providing service for an area of 85-square miles.

With headquarters located in Pittston, GPRA has a substation located in Exeter Borough, it services City of Pittston, Jenkins Twp., and the Boroughs of Exeter, Yatesville, Jenkins, Wyoming, West Wyoming, West Pittston, Laflin, and Avoca.

GPRA provides assistance to Boroughs of Dupont, Duryea, Hughestown, and the Townships of Exeter and Pittston.