Pocono Mountains, PA — November 20, 2025

Emergency medical services in the Poconos could soon see more reliable funding and stronger oversight after Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor released a performance audit of the state’s Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund (EMSOF). The audit found ongoing gaps in how the Department of Health (DOH) monitors the distribution of money to regional EMS councils and the State EMS Advisory Board.

“For 15 years, audits have shown problems, and yet DOH hasn’t fully corrected them,” DeFoor said. “At a time when emergency services are facing critical shortages, not one dollar can be wasted.”

The audit reviewed $37.9 million in fund distributions between 2021 and 2024, with $29.3 million supporting statewide EMS operations. Key findings included a lack of internal controls, incomplete reporting from EMS councils, and failure to fully implement previous audit recommendations.

What This Means for Poconos Residents

For Monroe, Pike, and Carbon county residents, the findings could have real-world impacts:

• Better-trained paramedics: Funding supports certification and training programs for local EMS personnel.
• Faster response times: More reliable funding can help ensure local ambulances are fully staffed and equipped.
• Higher-quality care: Patient quality assurance programs ensure that medical emergencies are handled safely and efficiently.
• Stronger local EMS infrastructure: Licenses and inspections for ambulances and medical response services help maintain high standards in the region.

Funding and Recommendations

EMSOF is funded through fees from moving traffic violations and the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, with 75% of the fund distributed to regional EMS councils like those serving the Poconos. Strengthening oversight could ensure these funds are spent effectively, directly benefiting local emergency services and the residents who rely on them.

DeFoor issued 18 recommendations to improve internal controls, including requiring EMS councils and the Advisory Board to provide proper documentation before receiving funds and holding agencies accountable for compliance.

For residents of the Pocono Mountains, these changes could mean better-equipped paramedics, faster response times, and a more transparent and accountable system — helping to ensure that lifesaving services are available when they are needed most.