New Ambulances En Route to Pennsylvania Medical Rescue Team

Medical Rescue Team South Authority paramedics and emergency medical technicians soon will have the use of a fleet of seven new ambulances.

"The ambulances we have now are three years old," said Robert McKown, a member of the authority's board and a Whitehall councilman. "We usually refurbish the ambulances or trade them in after three years to keep up with advances in technology."

The authority, based at 315 Cypress Way in Mt. Lebanon, was started in 1975 by former Mt. Lebanon police Chief David Varrelman, who saw a need for a paramedic response unit in the municipality.

Today, the authority covers Mt. Lebanon, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Baldwin Township, Whitehall and Green Tree.

"MRTSA is the most cost-effective way to provide emergency medical service to a large area of communities," said Todd Pritchard, the executive director of the authority, which is funded through subscriptions and fees for service and has nine full-time paramedics, seven ambulances, one staff car and one quick-response vehicle.

"We provide 24-hour advance life support services," Pritchard said. "There are lots of emergency medical services (companies) that are struggling with survival, and we're actually doing pretty good. We have a budget of about $3 million this year."

McKown said the organization usually leases its vehicles but officials decided to purchase the ambulances from Superior Sales in Lower Burrell this time around. The authority expects to receive the ambulances in August.

"Purchasing the ambulances will allow us to keep the costs within our budget while having new ambulances," McKown said. Financing for the fleet has yet to be determined.

The ambulances, which will cost $862,000, will be equipped with state-of-the art gear, such as LCD lighting so people driving on the road can see the ambulance better. Medical equipment will be on the driver's side of the ambulance, making it easier for medical personnel to retrieve it and treat a patient.

"Before, everything was located on the street side of the vehicle, and the attendant had to walk around in a moving vehicle to get the equipment, which wasn't too safe," Pritchard said. "With the new ambulances, everything will be at finger-tip level, so the attendants can reach it."

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