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Federal prosecutors file charges against former Veterans Administration Medical Center nurse Richard Pieri

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I am writing in reference to Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George&#8217;s recent proposal to eliminate the ambulance mutual aid response system in the city, and more importantly, the recent revelation that the long-term plan is to completely eliminate the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department EMS system in favor of a for-profit ambulance company.I am certain that with over 7,500 responses a year, there are very few families in the city that have not been touched by our paramedics in one way or another, whether it was a family medical emergency, a vehicle accident, a fire or other emergency. Our highly trained and experienced paramedics, who work side by side with our firefighters each day, are an integral part of our overall emergency response system and deserve nothing less than our complete support.Just as importantly, we need to continue to develop new ways to improve inter-governmental cooperation, not dismantle a system that has proven itself time and time again over the years. City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of maintaining the current mutual aid ambulance system and we encourage Mayor George and his staff to reconsider this decision. After all, the next life they save might very well by yours.Bill BarrettChairmanWilkes-Barre City Council

Letter to the Editor: Preserve Wilkes-Barre’s ambulance mutual aid system, says council chairman