February is American Heart Health Month, a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their heart health. One place to start is by managing your blood pressure. Click here for valuable resources that you can use to start your journey to improved heart health!
We started as a small volunteer organization in 1965 and have grown as our community has. We currently cover over 400 square miles in Monroe County and handle over 3,000 calls yearly. Our coverage area includes Middle Smithfield Township, Smithfield Township, Porter Township, and portions of Price Township. Our main stations are on Winona
We started as a small volunteer organization in 1965 and have grown as our community has. We currently cover over 400 square miles in Monroe County and handle over 3,000 calls yearly. Our coverage area includes Middle Smithfield Township, Smithfield Township, Porter Township, and portions of Price Township. Our main stations are on Winona Falls Road, behind Foxmoor Village, and in the Village Center in Marshalls Creek Complex.
I have been in EMS (the Emergency Medical Services) for a long time. I mean a really long time. I’m beginning my 50th year, and believe me, the changes I have seen have been lifesaving and dramatic. Gone are the days when someone called for an ambulance, and the phone tree was started to find a couple of people available to drive to the
I have been in EMS (the Emergency Medical Services) for a long time. I mean a really long time. I’m beginning my 50th year, and believe me, the changes I have seen have been lifesaving and dramatic. Gone are the days when someone called for an ambulance, and the phone tree was started to find a couple of people available to drive to the ambulance station, respond to the call, swoop up the patient and drive real fast to the hospital, and hope that was good enough to have someone survive.
Recently in testimony in Harrisburg, Heather Sharar, Executive Director of the Ambulance Association of PA told legislators, “Ambulance transports are more than “just a ride”. You are receiving a mobile (emergency room). It is not just the gas for the ride to the hospital. It is care. It is medical monitoring, treatment, and observation. It is a lifesaving resource that, unfortunately, nobody wants to pay for.”
In the September issue of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, an article appeared, “EMS in Crisis, Townships are on the Front Lines to Preserve Local Agencies”. The article notes that EMS providers across the Commonwealth are sounding the alarm over issues threatening the service as it operates. State regulations, a lack of a steady funding stream, and dwindling numbers of volunteers and staff consistently rise to the top of the list.
The article cites that the EMS crisis didn’t sprout up overnight and there’s no simple fix. Residents consider it an essential service and expect trained personnel ready to respond when they call 9-1-1. Municipalities are on the front lines in the battle to ensure that EMS remains a community service.
The article highlights the two most pressing issues with EMS, no surprise that the same two issues affect virtually every organization, personnel and money. A quote from Phillip Beck of East Pennsboro Ambulance service highlights what many of us in EMS have
been saying for years, “EMS doesn’t close. You can’t tell your residents, ‘Sorry, don’t’ call
9-1-1. We need a break’.”
Today, attracting young people or those of any age into EMS is often seen as a stepping stone into other careers. Often, it is for a resume for medical school, nursing school, or many other careers. Hence, the shortage of trained personnel to serve as 9-1-1 EMS providers.
Today the cost of becoming an EMT is upwards of $1,000 and the cost of the necessary book is $600 more. To become a Paramedic, the cost can range from $7,000 to $25,000 and takes at least a year’s experience as an EMT and then another 6 or 8 months to a year to complete the course then to take the test for certification. The cost alone is one of the reasons that most agencies only have career personnel.
The costs associated with ambulance services have skyrocketed. As the article points out, from gloves to gurneys (stretchers), it’s expensive. An outfitted ambulance can start at $200,000. A service must still pay for insurance, supplies, buildings as well as the personnel.
A common misconception is that insurance payments will carry the cost of operations. Ambulance services bill clients and their insurance companies for services, which is the main source of income for EMS. According to one EMS leader, insurance reimbursements and copays often go unaddressed, but those payments account for a large percentage of their budgets.
“Every time an ambulance responds to a 911 call, the average cost is $750, “(An). The average transport bill is $1,185 or more. (The) Average net amount collected from insurance is 38%. If a patient does not have insurance, or refuses to pay their bill, an EMS agency basically has provided a free service.” According to an EMS manager. He also noted Medicare and Medicaid also don’t cover much of the cost per ambulance transport.
In testimony in Harrisburg before the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Joe Gerdes, director of government relations for PSATS said that funding is a challenge. He told the committee “To address funding, new revenue raising options would be helpful and enhance a municipality’s ability to help pay for EMS and other emergency services.”
“For example, PSATS members would like to increase the amount of the ambulance tax they could currently levy under the Second Class Township Code from 0.5 to 1.5 mils. These revenues could only be used to support ambulance companies that service their townships.”
The article continues to address other issues like mandates on training, staffing and other licensure related issues as well as insurance reimbursements. But the most telling lines were the closing ones. “The current EMS crisis only looks to get worse if immediate action is not taken ... action that requires all stakeholders to work together to find viable solutions. If not, a call to 9-1-1, rather than being met with “9-1-1 what’s your emergency?” may be met with silence.
This year, Bushkill Emergency Corps celebrates 58 years of serving the residents of Middle Smithfield Township. We recognize those who have served our community each year with an Annual November Awards Dinner.
The dinner provides the Board of Directors and the Management Team (all volunteers) an opportunity to recognize the providers who
This year, Bushkill Emergency Corps celebrates 58 years of serving the residents of Middle Smithfield Township. We recognize those who have served our community each year with an Annual November Awards Dinner.
The dinner provides the Board of Directors and the Management Team (all volunteers) an opportunity to recognize the providers who serve our community in either their capacity as a volunteer and/or career provider. It is a time to thank each one for their commitment and dedication to the well-being of their patients. Bushkill Emergency Corps recognizes volunteer contributions at the two-year, five-year, and five-year incremental marks.
This year, Board member Debbie Boyle will be recognized for two years of volunteer service to the organization. Her CPA background provides a significant amount of guidance to the organization. As the newest member of the Board of Directors, Debbie joined the following volunteer Directors: Ed Regina (Chairman), Albert Murray, Jr., Zerla Bartolome, Gil Coronado, Leon Prince, Gail Kulick, and Juliette Ryan-Caines. Each Board member brings a particular background to the organization, contributing to its long-term commitment to the community.
The Corps will recognize two long-serving individuals from the same family. Both Nancy Felmly and Raymond Felmly, Jr. will be recognized for their service of 30 years to the organization. Nancy joins her husband, Ray, who was recognized last year for 50 years in the service of EMS (Emergency Medical Services), with 30 years being in the service of Bushkill Emergency Corps. Raymond, Jr. started as a high school student, became an Emergency Medical Technician, then became a Paramedic, and now serves the community as a Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse. As we say, EMS is a gateway to many careers in the medical field.
Saving lives is what those who are passionate about their service in EMS are motivated to achieve. This year, six CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation) save pins were awarded. Saving a life requires the skills and training that the providers have; quite frankly, it doesn’t happen daily. There are always challenges that can prevent a “save.” Still, the following six providers achieved that life-saving opportunity: Paramedic Jahaira Miranda Reyes, EMTs Rose Rizzo, Nancy Felmly, Ray Felmly, Wilfredo Crespo, and Connor Dolan. Congratulations to each one! Through their knowledge and dedication, two loved ones returned to their families!
This past year, Bushkill Emergency Corps reinstated its Paramedic school scholarship program. The scholarship recipient was Paramedic Joseph Bolger, who received in addition to the Bushkill Emergency Corps funds, an award of the Favini Paramedic Scholarship, which combined covered most of the program's cost. Completing the Paramedic program takes more than 12 months. Completing the certification is a real achievement. Bushkill also looks forward to providing a second scholarship for the 2024 paramedic program.
President Debbie Kulick and Captain Jonathon Kulick-Cummings handle the organization's day-to-day management. Still, the most crucial part of the administration and operations is overseen by the Corps’ Primary Medical Director, Dr. Peter Favini. Dr. Favini volunteers his time as Medical Director and serves as the guiding light for patient treatment and the providers' skills. He has donated his time, knowledge, and skills since 1992, when the organization officially became an Advanced Life Support provider to the community. Today, he is joined by Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono’s Dr. Colleen Kennedy as a secondary Medical Director for the Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Finally, a sincere thank you to all those who support Bushkill Emergency Corps through your subscriptions and attendance at our fundraising events, and a special thank you to the Middle Smithfield Township Supervisors for their continued support of the organization! Truly we couldn’t provide the services without this solid support.
Wintertime brings on the fun in the sun activities that help make memories for young and seasoned like! There are times when things don’t go quite as planned, and that is when Bushkill Emergency Corps’ response to your 9-1-1- call is vital! Although no one ever wants a medical emergency, sometimes things happen. That is why Bushkill Em
Wintertime brings on the fun in the sun activities that help make memories for young and seasoned like! There are times when things don’t go quite as planned, and that is when Bushkill Emergency Corps’ response to your 9-1-1- call is vital! Although no one ever wants a medical emergency, sometimes things happen. That is why Bushkill Emergency Corps offers residents the opportunity to purchase a subscription that helps support the organization, just in case, and can help with any billing that may be the responsibility of a patient needing the service.
We continue to offer subscriptions for purchase. Although the subscription is not an insurance policy, it does offer a portion of forgiveness should the patient have a remaining balance. For example, if a bill for transport and treatment was $1,200, and insurance pays $600, the remaining balance would be the patient's responsibility. However, with a subscription, Bushkill Emergency Corps would deduct $500 from the remaining $600, and the patient’s responsibility would be $100.
The subscription period runs from July 1 through June 30 of each year. The subscription per household for Middle Smithfield residents costs $50 per year. We appreciate the support of the Middle Smithfield Township Supervisors and residents, so a reduced subscription rate is applied.
Subscription letters and postcards were mailed to all township residents this past summer. If you have yet to receive one, please call the Bushkill Emergency Corps office at (570) 223-1906 and leave your name and address, and a form will be sent to you, or you click here for an online version.
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Sterling Ct, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18302, United States
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We are currently hiring full-time, part-time, and per-diem paramedics. For additional information, please call (570) 242-2269 or email deborahkkulick@gmail.com