Headlines across the Commonwealth and nationwide continue to harp on the crisis within the EMS industry. Low reimbursement from insurances, increasing costs in fuel and supplies, and staffing issues continue to plague the pre-hospital arena. Leadership from Friendship Ambulance began to discuss in depth the concerns facing the region specifically with the municipalities we serve. These conversations have been extremely productive to shine a light on the struggles but also produce some solutions, both short-term and long-term, to ensure EMS is able to sustain and deliver the best care to the region.

Upper Providence and Limerick Townships were first to offer assistance to ensure the residents and visitors to their municipalities and the region are transported and care for in some of the newest ambulances available. Second to payroll, capital expenses to replace aging ambulances place a significant burden on agencies. With current timelines close to two-years for new units to be delivered organizations are forced to make financial commitments today for the future despite the above outlined hurdles. Over the last 18 months Friendship Ambulance has received $65K in funding from Upper Providence and Limerick to replace four ambulances in the fleet. Our successful implementation to utilize non-emergent and paratransit services to support the 911 responses ensure direct financial requests are able to be kept to a minimum using the monies received to upgrade and replace capital expense equipment while other agencies regionally and nationwide rely on contributions to remain open. The logo of each Township is proudly displayed on these new vehicles showing our gratitude for the financial support to obtain these vehicles.

We would like to thank Upper Providence & Limerick Townships for providing financial assistance for the purchase of these new vehicles and continuing to engage in conversations to bring sustainable EMS service to the Spring-Ford community.