(7/2016) One of the most important responsibilities of local and county government is to insure the health, safety and welfare of our residents. I wanted to make sure you were aware that The Board of Directors of the Adams Regional Emergency Medical Services is announcing their Ambulance Subscription Drive for 2016/2017. Adams Regional Emergency Medical Service is a non-profit emergency ambulance service resulting from the cooperative efforts of the Gettysburg Fire Department and the United Hook & Ladder Company 33 in Adams County, Pennsylvania. AREMS currently provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) to over 15 of the municipalities in the south central region of Adams County as well as fulfilling mutual aid services to each of our surrounding jurisdictions. The Ambulance Membership period runs from July 1, 2016, or thereafter when payment is received, through June 30, 2017.

While residents in AREMS coverage area will receive emergency ambulance service even if they do not subscribe to this program, all residents are urged to participate in order to avoid sometimes substantial costs beyond what insurance will cover. Non-subscribers will be responsible for payment in full. For subscribers, AREMS will bill all available primary and secondary insurance for you. The subscription does not cover non-emergency or routine transports. Cost of the annual subscription is $45 Individual and $70 Family. By supporting Adams Regional EMS, you are not only helping to possibly defray ambulance transport costs up to $1400, you are also helping to sustain professional and timely ambulance service in our community.

Providing quality emergency response service has become more challenging every year with decreasing volunteerism, increased training requirements, the increasing cost of equipment and training, and the spike in insurance costs – especially workman’s comp. The merger of EMS services by Gettysburg & New Oxford is viewed by these departments, and the Adams Regional EMS Board, as a visionary step that will hopefully be a springboard to maintaining quality and affordable EMS service for all Adams County residents. Fairfield and Littlestown also participate for Advanced Life Support (former Medic 28) services). The EMS challenge increased sustainably with Wellspan Gettysburg Hospital’s November 2013 announcement that Wellspan would be exiting Advanced Life Support delivery.

The Adams Regional EMS merger is being guided by a Board of Directors. The members of the Adams Regional EMS Board of Directors include David Blocher, Al Knerr and Bryan Wasylyk from Gettysburg Fire Department and Steve Rabine, Kevin Moul and Patrick "Sam" Taylor from United Hook & Ladder. Adams County Council of Government is represented by Barbara Underwood, the County of Adams is represented by Chair County Commissioner Randy Phiel and the Community Member At Large is former ACNB Bank CEO Ronald Hankey.

The ambulance service is currently based in Gettysburg, New Oxford and Bonneauville. Adams Regional EMS is led by Business Manager Amy Lebo and Operations Manager Eric Zaney.

AREMS employs a staff of 40 EMTs and 20 Paramedics both full-time and part-time. Since it began providing service June 28, 2015, AREMS has responded to over 5000 emergency dispatches. AREMS welcomes inquiries from any other area emergency service ambulance providers that wish to maximize and consolidate services. You may contact the AREMS business office at 717-624-7465 or view more information and get a subscription application online at www.arems.net

The new Adams County Human Services Building keeps coming closer to reality. The bid specs for the renovation of the Adams County Human Services Building, prepared by the architectural firm of Crabtree and Rohrbaugh, were let on Wednesday, June 22. The four bids were broken down into the following categories, General Construction, HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical. All questions pertaining to the Contract Documents, technical sections, legal documents, and bid submission shall be directed in writing to: Joshua C. Bower, Senior Project Manager, phone number 717-458-0272 email: jbower@cra-architects.com.

Sealed bids for construction of Alterations to the Adams County Human Services Building, 525 Boyds School Rd, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325 must be received at the Adams County Controller’s Office, Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore Street, Room 207-B, Gettysburg, PA 17325 by 11 A.M., prevailing time, on July 20, 2016.

Bids must be submitted to the attention of Steve Renner, Adams County Controller. Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the name of the Bidder and shall be clearly marked "Alterations to the Human Services Building." Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 1:00 p.m. prevailing time at a public meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held in the Adams County Courthouse, in the Historic Courtroom, second floor. Bids received after the above-referenced date and time shall be returned to the Bidder unopened.

With the new Adams County Human Services Building quickly becoming a reality, it has created other opportunities to better serve our staff and residents. One major addition at the facility will be approximately ten staff from York/Adams Mental Health - which has never had a presence in Adams County.

In collaboration with the Courts we have discussed the potential of moving Magistrates Beauchat and Harvey’s offices to the Human Services Building. Beauchat’s office is leased, with the lease soon expiring, and Harvey’s office is owned by the county. Besides being both fiscally and operationally effective moving to county owned space, the offices would be inside a secured building. In today’s world enhanced security simply cannot be ignored and an opportunity to enhance security needs to be recognized. Other benefits will include free and ample parking with public transportation to the facility.

If the move is approved by all appropriate parties, including the State Supreme Court, the building at 34 East Middle Street could be sold, and thus placed back on the tax rolls, with hopefully another viable business taking up residence in the county.

As a requirement of state law, a public hearing on this matter will be conducted by the Court on Wednesday August 3rd, in Courtroom #1 at 6 p.m. The Court will discuss their foot traffic study and various dynamics of the potential move.

The proposed Adams County Law Enforcement Firearms Training Range at the Department of Emergency Services Center (911 Center) is in final stages of permitting. The much needed and long anticipated facility is going to be built with private and donated funding that will negate any cost to taxpayers.

It’s time for fresh fruits and vegetables in Adams County. I urge you to patronize our many Farmers Markets to enjoy this fresh and delicious bounty; while supporting our local agricultural community. I just picked up some fresh strawberries and Bing cherries that were delicious. No matter what you do get out there and experience all the historical, recreational, agricultural, natural and historic opportunities that beautiful Adams County has to offer.