Vestal, NY (WBNG Binghamton) With the price of gas for regular reaching just about $4 a gallon across the Southern Tier, some companies are reluctant to spend money on traveling to customers.
But some businesses, like ambulance services, must go the distance no matter what.
For the Vestal Volunteer Emergency Squad -- the cost for gas is getting extremely expensive. Action News hit the road with Assistant Chief of Operations, Steven Magargle, to fill up the tank of one of its 4 ambulances.
"In the past, we were telling crews to fill up at half a tank. Now we've extended that out to 3/4 of a tank to try and get more mileage out of each tank of fuel for gas," said Magargle.
The price at the pump for diesel is at $4.37 a gallon -- getting steeper each time Magargle fills up. He said, "It seems to everyday." On Wednesday, it cost $156.
"These (vehicles) get filled up probably twice a week, explained Magargle. "So you're looking at $300 a vehicle for 4 vehicles."
While many of Vestal's ambulance crews are on duty 24 hours a day; to keep costs down, Magargle asks them consolidate errands. "You know if we stop for lunch, stop on the way back from the hospital. Don't make a special trip."
But it's special trips for the volunteers that's keeping some of them away from coming into work because of the rising cost of fuel.
"They're not being paid to be here and I wouldn't say so much as going on calls or responding to calls in their personal vehicles," said Volunteer Medic, Michael Ponticiello, "but, coming down for extra trainings or extra meetings."
So far, Vestal's EMS has not had a problem paying for gas, "We've done okay. But we'll have to see what the future holds," said Magargle. Each year, it keeps adding more money to its fuel budget hoping that will cover it without passing any cost onto its patients.
According to AAA, the average price for regular in Greater Binghamton is $3.97. A year ago it was $2.98. The national average currently stands at $3.83.
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