Burns engineers West End Ambulance Service grant success
Three years of cooperative work yield $459,900 to renovate building
Rep. Frank Burns March 18, 2026 | 1:18 PM
JOHNSTOWN, March 18 – West End Ambulance Service -- which answers 4,000 calls a year in a coverage area that includes the western half of Johnstown and Lower Yoder, Middle Taylor, and West Taylor townships -- is totally renovating its deteriorated building with a $459,900 state grant obtained by working closely with state Rep. Frank Burns.
“Frank and I have been working on this for three years,” said Carlos Gunby, West End station commander. “This was our first time being successful in acquiring the funds for this project. Because we’re a nonprofit, we couldn’t apply directly for it.
“But the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority submitted the application on our behalf. Frank was aware of this, and he worked with us to make sure that we had all our T’s crossed and our I’s dotted. And fortunately, it worked out for us this year.”
______________________________________________________________________
“Frank and I have been working on this for three years … he worked with us to make sure that we had all of our T’s crossed and our I’s dotted. And fortunately, it worked out for us this year.” – Carlos Gunby, West End Ambulance Service station commander.
______________________________________________________________________
Gunby said the funds that Burns, D-Cambria, helped acquire could not come at a better time, as the 100-by-300-square-foot steel-framed building that houses the five-ambulance operation is beset with problems related to its 40-year age.
“We need a new roof, the outside metal skin replaced, insulation. HVAC issues need repaired, there are leaks, the windows are no longer even remotely efficient,” Gunby said. “We’re probably 15 to 20 years past where we needed to be on some of these [repair] projects. But as a nonprofit, we do not have regular taxpayer support. The bulk of our funding comes from services that are provided and a big yearly fundraiser.”
After going through the required bid process and following all other grant guidelines, Gunby said he is hopeful the badly needed renovations can start by spring or summer.
“It’s definitely not going to be the Taj Mahal by any stretch of the imagination, but once completed, it will be something we can be proud of as a pillar for our community,” Gunby said.