Emergency Medical Services

Mission Statement:  To provide BLS and ALS coverage to the residents of Bethlehem Township 24 hours a day 7 days week. Assist with mutual aid ALS service to neighboring BLS services.

Ambulances:  (3) E450 Ford super duty Excellance Type III units, (2) E450 Ford super duty Wheeled Coach Type III unit.  (1) 2002 Chevy Tahoe (Medic 1) used by the Director of EMS, and is used to rendezvous with BLS services as a QRV (quick response vehicle).  It is usually staffed by an EMT & Paramedic.  It is not capable of transporting patients.

Staff:  All units are staffed with a minimum of an EMT & Paramedic, which can consist of career and/or volunteer staff.  B.T.V.F.C. encourages anyone interested to become a volunteer to help subsidize its staffing needs.

Main station:  Operational 24 hours a day, with a primary coverage in an area that includes 3 major highways:  Rts. PA 33, Interstate 78 & US 22

Satellite Operation: Operational 24 hours a day.  Its primary purpose is to provide ALS to other BLS services in surrounding communities. The unit is housed at Station 53, Hecktown Fire.

Call Volume: Over 6500 per year with 70/30 split ALS versus BLS.

Projects:
 
 
  • Bethlehem Township EMS has started an EMS Bike Team.  The EMS Bike team is available to provide EMS support at your event.  Wither it be a carnival, sporting event or even a bike or foot race, Bethlehem Township EMS Bike team can provide your EMS Support.  Check out the Bike Team Section of the web site by clicking here.

  • Are are please to inform the community that Bethlehem Township is the first EMS provider in the county to use the Zoll Autopulse.  The Zoll Autopulse is applied to patients experiencing cardiac arrest.  Once on accurate and consistent compressions are delivered to the patient. To see a AutoPulse Demo click on the picture to the right.  A new browser window will open.
     

  • Bethlehem Township EMS was featured at the National Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) Conference in Baltimore Maryland.  Director of EMS Operations Jonathan Nicholas presented the findings from the Etomidate versus Midazolam study.  The presentation was attended by EMS professionals from around he country and around the globe.  This study was made possible with the collaboration of St. Luke's Hospital and also the City of Bethlehem EMS.  For additional information regarding his study please fell free to contact the Director of EMS Operations.  A copy  of the poster presentation is available by clicking here.
     

  • The MDT project was implemented on December 1, 2005.  The EMS crews are now able to record patient care as it happens.  It also has the capability to record patient EKG's via a wireless connection from our cardiac monitors.  The GPS receivers are also connected to the docking station in each ambulance, providing navigational assistance.
     

  • Real time 12-lead EKG transmissions of patents experiencing an MI (myocardial infarction) is also a work in progress. This will greatly reduce the time a patient stays in the Emergency Room, and expedites either cardiac catheterization or thrombolytics, as the Emergency Room Physician will have the 12-lead EKG prior to the patient's arrival at the hospital.