A plan that would restructure the county's emergency medical services and add 12 full-time advanced life-support paramedics to augment the current system was approved Thursday night by the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, according to an association press release.
The association approved the plan with a vote of 22 companies in favor, two against and one abstention, according to the release.
The two-part, phased plan would allow for more government support and standardized procedures for all of the county's ambulance companies.
Jay Grimes, president of the Williamsport Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, said he supported the plan.
"The service needs help," Grimes said. "The issue is getting more and more difficult, and they are getting more and more calls."
Grimes said Williamsport, which has one full-time paid ambulance crew, received back-to-back calls Thursday. That's especially taxing for companies, he said.