Ferla and Cassaro officials request emergency medical service boost

Mayors Michelangelo Giansiracusa of Ferla and Mirella Garro of Cassaro, alongside regional deputies Giuseppe Carta and Ludovico Balsamo, are calling for the temporary reinforcement of emergency medical services (118) due to upcoming roadworks on the SP 45.

The provincial road will be completely closed for approximately 150 days to allow for safety works on a rocky ridge. This closure is expected to increase travel times by 10 to 15 minutes for both emergency arrivals and transfers to the Umberto I Hospital in Syracuse.

Because Ferla and Cassaro currently lack their own dedicated 118 stations—relying instead on services from Palazzolo Acreide and Sortino—officials expressed concern regarding time-sensitive medical emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, and polytrauma. Local administrations have submitted an institutional request to the regional government and are organizing a petition to ensure citizen safety during the construction period.