Submitted by Debbie Kulick, Bushkill Emergency Corps
When they say, “What difference a day makes”, what it really means to our local EMS (Emergency Medical Service) providers is, “What a difference the EMS tax support makes!” This year Smithfield Township joined by Middle Smithfield Township implemented both an EMS and Fire tax to help support the organizations serving our communities. The tax helps support in part, Bushkill Emergency Corps, Suburban EMS and Marshalls Creek Fire Company BLS services.
The difference the additional funding has made will soon be evident as Bushkill Emergency Corps was able to order and commit to sustaining funding for the purchase of two new ambulances to its fleet. One ambulance will replace the costly to maintain, 24-hour-a-day Advanced Life Support unit (2009) with a new 2024 two-wheel drive box ambulance unit costing about $230,000 when complete. The second unit replaces a no longer acceptable 1992 Basic Life Support unit with a 2023 van-type unit costing about $125,000. These units will upgrade the existing fleet and will assure dependable transport of patients to our local hospitals.
Bushkill Emergency Corps has chosen to acknowledge this support by extending to all residents of Middle Smithfield and Smithfield Townships (primary coverage areas) the equivalent of a subscription to the organization. What this means is if a patient is responsible for a remaining portion of a bill for transport, the organization will deduct up to $500 from the remaining balance.
As technology changes in the availability of equipment, and training requirements increase, over time this funding will continue to allow Bushkill Emergency Corps to upgrade equipment that will better serve our patients. At the recent 5thAnnual Bushkill Emergency Corps fundraising Gala, the organization shared information that detailed the cost of some of the current equipment used by EMS. Some of the items noted were: LUCAS CPR chest compressor system/$20,015 each, Stryker Stair-Pro Stair Chair/ $17,329 each, Stryker Power Pro XT package Ambulance Stretcher/$74,586 each.
Bushkill Emergency Corps is also investing in its own providers by providing scholarships to advance their training to the Paramedic level. The organization looks forward to its recent second candidate, Wilfredo Crespo, completing his training in December and joining the previous recipient, Joseph Bolger, as part of the Advanced Life Support Staff.
Bushkill Emergency Corps thanks the Board of Supervisors for their vision for the future of services needed and their commitment to the organization and continued support as Bushkill Emergency Corps enters its 60th year of service to the residents and visitors of Smithfield Township.