WellSpan Health, Waynesboro to look at feasibility of combined EMS center

Waynesboro Borough Council has approved a letter of intent between the borough and WellSpan Health to study the feasibility of building an emergency services building.

The proposed building is to be constructed at 500 E. Main St, which WellSpan owns. The parcel, across the street from WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital, is 5.27 acres and would allow for an emergency services campus with the goal of housing fire, police and WellSpan Health services. The adjacent helipad is essential for both parties, and remains in the plan.

SGS Architects of Carlisle, Pa., will perform the site analysis, including a cost estimate to build at the emergency services building site, as well as renovating the borough police department at 57 E. Main St. for other municipal uses.

The total cost for the 18 month study is $24,300 and will be paid out of the borough's capital reserve fund, meaning there is no direct, additional impact to taxpayers, said Borough Manager Jason Stains.

"This fits right in our wheelhouse and we couldn't be happier in partnering with Waynesboro," said Roxanna Gapstur, president and CEO of WellSpan Health. "When first responders are dispatched, it is often for physical, mental, or social health needs. If we can be a part of strengthening the delivery of those critical services, we further our community-oriented mission. We are excited to partner with the Borough of Waynesboro to determine whether this concept is feasible.”

Melissa Dubrow, president of WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital added, "We're excited about the possibilities. This is a great opportunity for us to have additional space."

The building project will be customized to fit the needs of both fire and police as well as WellSpan, officials said.

"My understanding is that they are going to meet with all the stakeholders and have the opportunity to sit down with the architects to discuss things we think are conducive to the building," said borough Fire Chief Chris Devers. "We want to be forward thinking to make sure we can create or expand it if needed somewhere down the road."

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Devers said the project would be great for all involved and that it would serve the community in many different ways.

"This really sets us up for the future; we really have no room for expansion," he said. "As we look at newer apparatus down there road, we would have to keep looking at the facility and see if it's able to hold the weight, with this (new building), that solves a lot of out problems; it's a good time to be a fire chief."

Officials from WellSpan have since toured both the Waynesboro police and fire departments to better understand the needs.

"We have been discussing this idea in the property committee and the plan of the emergency services building for several years," Stains said.

The borough-owned fire station at 29 S. Potomac St. has not received substantial upgrades since the 1960s and poses a few issues, including apparatus storage, trouble backing into the station and staff sleeping quarters.

“This project would be a win-win for the community,” said Council President Harold Mumma. “The ability to station first responders on a campus with medical personnel would greatly enhance the level of emergency response coordination available to our residents.”

According to Waynesboro Police Chief Jim Sourbier III, the building would better suit the needs of his officers.

"Our current station is dated and the ability to update and retrofit it to what we would need is cost prohibited," Sourbier said. "It is also significantly deteriorating. Having a facility specifically designed for the needs of the police department would benefit the officers as well as the community. Having this built out properly is an expense that the borough won't have to consider for many years to come, and I think that is very wise."

While the new emergency services building plan is in its infancy, and the specific terms of the partnership are yet to be decided, the overall consensus on the project is positive.

"Our goal is to plan 75 to 100 years out for the future" Stains said. "Location has been paramount throughout this entire process. We feel that where we are leaning is the best fit for our future."

This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Hospital owner, borough partner to explore combined EMS building