A Quarterly Newsletter for Cetronia Ambulance Corps Subscribers VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 DECEMBER, 2012 Ceo s Corner The Spirit of the Season Dear Valued Subscribers, This time of year tends to have many of us reminiscing about our fondest memories of days gone by and often brings much joy and happiness to us as individuals as well as to our families and friends. It goes without saying that the thing most will immediately relate to is the visions of kids and toys. While many will witness and experience this joy some families and children will not. There are many children that we will see or read about this holiday who may not be as lucky as most of us, and for this reason I ask that all of our readers think about what part they might play to make a difference in someone else s life so that they too may enjoy a brighter season. While often times we get hung up on things and shopping, perhaps we should also get hung up on each other. As we enjoy our own hustle and bustle of the season, why not take a moment or two to do something nice for a child who doesn t have near the good fortune of our own? Our organization proudly participates in the Toys for Tots drive, having boxes at both our Broadway and William Avenue locations with the hope that we will help in making someone s day just a bit brighter. While the toys will make a child happy, I also believe the joy it gives each of us to give as well as the joy of families less fortunate are what the true spirit of the holidays are all about. So, as you re shopping for family, why not buy a toy and drop it in any Toys for Tots box to share the spirit? In closing, from our Cetronia Ambulance family to yours, I extend our best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and New Year filled with peace, joy and success. Sincerely, Larry A. Wiersch, MS Chief Executive Officer Non-Emergencies & Medical Transport: Call 610-395-6833 First in the Lifesaving Business Since 1955. Cetronia Ambulance Corps Sends Two Disaster Response Teams to New Jersey Following Hurricane Sandy As an active member of the Pennsylvania Strike Team, Cetronia Ambulance Corps provides staffing, vehicles, equipment and other resources to be utilized for major emergency and disaster response. Following Hurricane Sandy, representatives from Cetronia and the Region II Strike Team were deployed to Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey. continued on page 2 Non-Emergencies & Medical Transport: Call 610-395-6833 First in the Lifesaving Business Since 1955. Emergencies: Call 911
Page 2 Hurricane Sandy continued from page 1 Cetronia s teams operated in conjunction with other Pennsylvania EMS Strike Team s providing 911 relief, shelter support and search and rescue operations. We are proud to have men and women on our teams that are dedicated to disaster response, not only in our local area, but for areas throughout the country that need assistance when devastation strikes, said Larry Wiersch, Chief Executive Officer for Cetronia Ambulance Corps. In the past, Cetronia has provided Strike Teams that were deployed to Hurricanes Katrina, Lee, Irene, and now Sandy. Preparedness and readiness are key elements both prior to and after disaster strikes. Ensuring that we are always ready to help is a key mission that we have as an EMS agency in the community and making sure that everyone returns home safely is a true testament of success when we help others in their recovery, said Wiersch. As the largest non-profit ambulance service in the region and the only service to have achieved national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), Cetronia Ambulance Corps is well poised to unify services and resources with the County of Lehigh to enhance emergency and disaster response efforts for the safety of our region, as well as our neighbors. The first Strike Team deployment was activated immediately following the storm, with crews departing on October 30th and returning on November 5th. Their mission was to assist NJ EMS operations by providing back up 911 services to local first aid squad s and fire departments that lost their equipment during the storm. Support was also provided to medical staffing at the Red Cross shelters and assistance in transporting special needs residents. This mission once again proved that EMS is about helping others and working together as a team regardless of the background or patch that is worn. The countless number of citizens that showed their appreciation by saying thank you, waving or coming to the base camp to provide food demonstrated that our teams were greatly appreciated, said Michael LaPearl, Cetronia Ambulance Corps EMT-P, Operations Supervisor and Strike Team #1 Lead. 1 : On November 2nd, a second team was activated, which returned on November 10th. Their mission was to primarily assist with the 911 response in the towns of Hazlet, Union Beach and Keyport. Union Beach was hit the hardest; their EMS company lost all of its equipment and its station. When we arrived on scene, the Union Beach EMS Chief was so happy we came to help that he cried. A lot of the time it feels like EMS isn t appreciated or that we are the tail end of the funding line. It s things like this that make it all worthwhile, stated Brad Miller, EMT-P, Crew Chief and Strike Team #2 Lead for Cetronia Ambulance Corps. The Region II Strike Team is managed by the Eastern PA EMS Council of which Cetronia Ambulance commits two ALS vehicles with four people per vehicle to the team. A total of 16 emergency personnel from Cetronia receive extensive annual training in disaster operations and are members of the regional team. Each team from Cetronia consisted of two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT s), two Paramedics and an Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipped ambulance, all outfitted to remain in the field without support for up to seven days. The areas assisted by the PA EMS Strike Team were completely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Most were without basic services for over a week and some areas lost all of their emergency equipment, added Miller. is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by Cetronia Ambulance Corps, 7355 William Avenue, Suite 700, Allentown, PA 18106.
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Page 4 Please support our advertisers ADVERTISERS Outstanding Rehabilitation Close to Home Occupational, Physical & Speech Therapy When you're in need of short-term residential Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapy, turn to the rehabilitation team you can trust at Fellowship Manor. Thank you to our sponsors! Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season from Everyone at Cetronia Ambulance Corps is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by Cetronia Ambulance Corps, 7355 William Avenue, Suite 700, Allentown, PA 18106.
Page 5 You re an Important Part of Cetronia s Future As the year comes to an end, we are very excited that Cetronia Ambulance Corps will be embarking on an important new beginning. Our campaign is moving forward and we are in the final stages of actualizing our plans for not only the future of Cetronia Ambulance Corps, but pre-hospital healthcare throughout the Lehigh Valley! In the coming weeks, you will notice a Future Home of Cetronia Ambulance Corps sign being erected on our proposed new site along Broadway and Parkway Roads, which will highlight the construction plans. Cetronia Ambulance Corps, in cooperation with the County of Lehigh, are seeking support to construct a Community Emergency and Disaster Response Facility/Training Center. Many of our associates, volunteers and supporters have already made donations to the building project over the past two years of planning and development. We have also received Governor Tom Corbett s support for the project through a coveted Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) Grant in the amount of $1,750,000 to help construct the new facility. Many others have shared that they want to support the project when the plans are more solidified; now is the time for you to make your gift or to pledge your support for Cetronia Ambulance Corps life-saving mission! The enhancement of emergency preparedness and forensic capabilities, as well as, the wealth of potential for job creation and economic growth that this project promises for the Lehigh Valley makes it a significant, viable opportunity to change the course and the lives of many of our commonwealth s citizens. In short, it makes this project priceless. Governor Tom Corbett We are in the process of creating a wonderful donor recognition system for the lobby of the new building to recognize cumulative giving over a donor s lifetime. This will be in addition to the brick pavers (available now for just $250) that will be installed on the outside of the building. If you are interested in being a part of the exciting future of Cetronia Ambulance Corps... the future of our community, please contact Deborah Allen, Director of Development at 610-530-5513. Giving forms have been included in this publication for your convenience. Thank you for your continued support of our organization.
A Quarterly Newsletter for Cetronia Ambulance Corps Subscribers 7355 William Avenue Suite 700 Allentown, PA 18106 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 453 Lehigh Valley, PA First in the Lifesaving Business Since 1955. Page 6