Only 13 states consider Emergency Medical Services essential, but Ohio isn't one of them.  In the trifecta of EMS, police and fire---it's EMS that's excluded from essential.

Donning the title essential, means that local government has to provide ambulatory services for its residents, but according to area fire chiefs, township administrators, and lawmakers it could pave the way for funding opportunities.

The Boardman Fire Department, uses Lane for its services and is discussing a merge with the Cardinal Joint Fire District.  Fire chief Mark Pitzer telling me that EMS is a vital service, and that the change could open up grant money.

Austintown, like Boardman also has a contract with Lane; township trustee Robert Santos says Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements are just a fraction of the these private companies' operating costs--explaining that deeming EMS essential in Ohio would alleviate the burden on them.

"Worst thing we want to do is see them fail and then that burden end up on us and we would have to figure out our own EMS service and that would end up going on the residents...and that's the last thing we want to do.", said Santos

In order for change, a bill would have to go through the state legislature---State Senator Michael Rulli tells 21 News that he's in favor of essential EMS in Ohio but that the timeliness of drafting this bill is just as important.

Unlike EMS, police and fire are essential services-- State Representative Lauren McNally says the latter aren't tied to insurance