It's a sign of the times and yet another setback is on its way to the small community of Curwensville.

Last week members of the Rescue Hose and Ladder Company voted for a motion to have its ambulance service operated on a volunteer basis.

Travis Goodman, chief of the fire company told 6 News that it was a decision they have known that they would have to make a some point.

Goodman said that the fire department owns the ambulance service.  Due to the economy and people not paying their bills for basic life services, they had to make these changes, he said. 

The services will operate solely on a volunteer basis starting on Sept. 15. 

Holly Komonczi, mayor of Curwensville said that she is disappointed that this has to happen.

She is hoping that the community will be able to come together and help the ambulance service bounce back. 

Goodman said that while he understands people are upset, operating the ambulance service was cutting into the fire departments budget. 

G0odman said that about nine part-time employees have been laid off.

The six remaining full time employees will not have their jobs at the end of the week. 

Goodman said that it was a tough decision, but had they kept operating it they way that they had been, the fire department may have also had to close. 

The fire department is looking for volunteers who have medical backgrounds or training in volunteering as an EMT. 

The fire department is also accepting monetary donations.