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Public Emergencies
In the event of an emergency,
please dial 9-1-1
This provides the fastest and most complete response for all emergency services including the Police Department, Fire Department, and ambulance service. Specially trained emergency dispatchers are equipped to deal quickly with all situations.
Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth (VMSC)
101 Sibley Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
(610) 645-7770 Business office
(610) 645-9601 Crew quarters
(610) 645-9607 Non-emergency transports
At Narberth Ambulance, also known as the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth (VMSC), we transport patients with emergencies to hospitals in and around Narberth. In emergency situations, our crews will transport patients to the nearest appropriate hospital. In some cases, however, particularly those cases involving traumatic injuries, we transport patients to the Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center where they can receive trauma care appropriate to their needs. This type of transport is generally done by ambulance but can involve helicopter transport when conditions warrant the use.
Mission statement
The mission of the VMSC is to provide high-quality, cost-effective emergency and non-emergency medical transportation services of the ill and injured to citizens and visitors of our service area. VMSC is committed to providing these services through continuous quality improvement efforts and fiscally responsible means. VMSC will provide an atmosphere of mutual respect and open communication for the organization's customers, members and employees while supporting efforts to continue the personal and professional development of our valuable personnel.
Emergency staff
The Corps staffs its ambulances with volunteer and paid staff consisting of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Both types of personnel are trained to meet the National Standard Curriculum of Patient Care and are credentialed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to this training, our staff is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support.
- Emergency Medical Technicians are trained in basic life support procedures including patient assessment, assisted breathing techniques, use of Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) oxygen administration, bandaging and splinting techniques.
- Paramedics are trained in advanced life support procedures including intravenous therapy, advanced airway techniques, chest decompression, defibrillation, external pacemaker, electro-cardiogram and IV medications. Some paramedics go on to complete specialized training on the intricacies of transporting the critically ill and injured patients between medical facilities. This training includes the use of advanced invasive medical monitoring equipment.
Our EMTs and paramedics receive medical oversight from our Medical Director who is an emergency department physician at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Dr. Ben Usatch has been a volunteer paramedic at Narberth Ambulance for 20 years and now serves as the Corp's Medical Director.
Services
Our ambulances provide several types of service:
- Wheelchair van - provides routine wheelchair transportation of the ill and injured to and from medical facilities in Lower Merion Township. An additional fee is charged for trips outside of the township. (Check with your insurance company to see if this is covered.)
- Basic and Advanced Life Support - Emergency and non-emergency medical transportation is provided to non-ambulatory patients demonstrating medical necessity. Patients are transported in a fully equipped and licensed ambulance utilizing EMTs and paramedics and delivered to the closest appropriate medical facility.
Equipment and Training
Our basic and advanced life support units are equipped with state-of-the-art medical tools and supplies. We carry virtually all of the life saving equipment used in most emergency departments. In the hands of our expertly trained technicians, this equipment allows us the ability to treat our patients in the most modern ways possible. Some of the equipment we carry includes:
- Cardiac defibrillator
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Mechanical ventilator
- Oxygen resuscitation tools
- Suction
- Non-invasive blood pressure equipment
- Automated External Defribrillator (AED)
- IV pumps
Training at VMSC is a priority. Our crews have the opportunity to attend over 100 hours of continuing education annually, updating their skills and learning new techniques for emergency care. In addition, VMSC provides CPR training to citizens of Narberth and Lower Merion. For information on upcoming classes call 610-645-7770.
Special events
The Volunteer Medical Service Corps (VMSC) provides medical coverage to community events in Narberth and Lower Merion. Please call (610) 645-7770 if you have a sports or community event you would like to have us cover.
History
In 1944, local Narberth and Lower Merion residents founded the Volunteer Medical Services Corps of Narberth. Their mission was to provide first aid care, transportation and training to area residents.
In 1951, the Corps leased a piece of property for $1/year from the Borough of Narberth and built a new, larger building. Throughout the 50s and 60s, the Corps' expanded services to meet an increasing need. As EMS became its own specialty in the late 60s and early 70s, area hospitals, doctors, the Health Department and Lower Merion police recommended that the Corps further expand its role to providing all emergency care in Lower Merion Township.
Since then, Narberth Ambulance, now also known as the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth, has been providing high quality, cost effective emergency and non-emergency pre-hospital care. Our volunteer and career Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics provide basic and advance life support 24 hours a day. In 1997, VMSC moved to its newest facility at 101 Sibley Avenue in Ardmore. Last year we responded to approximately 7,000 emergency ambulance requests.
Funding
The Volunteer Medical Service Corps is a private, non-profit organization that does not receive a tax subsidy. Membership dollars assist VMSC with the expenses of providing prehospital care, training of crews and purchase of equipment. Tax-deductible contributions are also welcome and help with the purchase and maintenance of equipment. If you would like to become a member or make a contribution, please contact VMSC at (610) 645-7770.