More municipalities are signing contracts with paramedic services as Crozer Health EMT and paramedic services are about to come to an end.
The latest two are Chester and Aston Township.
The city announced an agreement with VMSC Emergency Medical Service. Springfield Township also contracted VMSC within the past few days.
This vital partnership comes in direct response to the recent closure of the Crozer Health system, which left Chester residents without local hospital and ambulance services, Chester said.
The agreement includes an initial one-year evaluation period, during which time VMSC and city leadership will assess needs, performance, and long-term sustainability while ensuring uninterrupted emergency care for Chester’s residents, the city added.
“With the closure of the Crozer Emergency Room, we are faced with longer transport times to the nearest appropriate medical facility, a situation that could result in preventable deaths. This is simply unacceptable,” said Mayor Stefan Roots. “This agreement with VMSC came just in time, is a testament to the commitment and urgency shared by all involved.”
Roots had signed an emergency declaration that empowered the city to bypass normal procurement procedures and expedite the agreement. The administration worked with the city receiver and his team to identify viable solutions that will ensure residents continue to have access to prompt emergency medical services, according to a press release.
Chester also thanked Dr. Monica Taylor and the rest of the Delaware County Council for leadership and support during the health care crisis.
“VMSC has been a trusted provider of emergency medical services in the region since 1933. To the people of Chester, welcome to the VMSC EMS family,” stated Shane Wheeler, CEO of VMSC. “As a nonprofit EMS agency with a century of service throughout Delaware Valley, we’re honored to bring you into a network of communities united by care, commitment, and compassion.”
A press release continued:
Beginning about May 2 there will be:
• Three basic life support (BLS) ambulances, including two units operating 24/7 from locations within the city, and a third flex unit scheduled based on peak call volumes.
• One advanced life support (ALS) commander, staffed 24/7, to provide high-level emergency care and oversee EMS operations.
• A dedicated communications center, responsible for real-time unit management, dynamic staging, and system optimization.
Meanwhile in Aston Township, commissioners engaged Event Medical Staffing Solutions to provide advanced life support services “to fill the imminent void from the closing of Crozer,” according to a press release
The township said it issued an emergency declaration on March 17, which like the others approved around Delaware County, allowed expedited approval of a new deal for prehospital services.
“EMSS joins us with nearly 20 years of experience, widely recognized for its high standards in emergency medical care and effective collaboration with local fire and police departments,” the township said. “A fully equipped ALS response unit will be based at the Aston Township Fire Department, staffed by licensed paramedics, trained in managing life-threatening emergencies and outfitted with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
“Aston Township Fire Department will continue to provide the basic life support (BLS) ambulance services that are a vital part of emergency health care in the township.”
In case of an emergency, residents should continue to dial 911, dispatchers will direct calls to the appropriate response team to ensure the fastest and most effective care.
For more information about EMSS visit www.4EMSS.com. Residents can also reach out to the Aston Township Municipal Office with further questions at 610-494-1636.
