Penn. EMS Agencies Hold Community Outreach Event

Reading Eagle, Pa.

May 19—Normally, if you see an ambulance crew doing its job, it means something bad has happened.

Last May, after Blandon Community Ambulance and Schuylkill Valley EMS merged to form Northern Berks Emergency Medical Services, officials decided to host a community festival to show off its equipment and training.

"We wanted to let the community know what we do," said Stephen Bobella Jr., executive director of Northern Berks EMS. "Generally, the only time they really get to experience us is at the worst time of their lives."

He described the paramedic service as an emergency room on wheels.

The outreach was so successful, with attendance estimated at 500, that the ambulance service is planning a second, expanded First Responder Festival next Saturday, Bobella said.

They've invited other emergency crews, including police and fire services.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Leesport Farmers Market.

Besides displays of ambulance and fire vehicles, there will be demonstrations, music, games and activities for children. To raise money for local emergency needs, there will be food for sale and a Chinese auction.

First responders will be on hand to meet and greet the public.

Sheila Gonzalez, emergency medical technician and executive secretary of the nonprofit, said last year's event was such a hit with the public that leaders decided to hold it again.

"We had no clue what to expect," she said. "I walked around and spoke to a lot of kids and parents, and they loved it. I had people tell me they never knew they (first responders) work together the way we do."

Although it's not the primary focus of the festival, it's a good recruiting opportunity for fire and emergency medical companies.

"I invited every company to bring volunteer applications," she said. "I said, 'Tell people what you struggle with because this is the perfect opportunity to express what your needs are.' "

Most ambulance companies and many fire companies rely on paid personnel to augment their volunteer ranks.

"It's not the same as it used to be," Gonzalez said. "It's hard to get people to volunteer.

Gonzalez started out as a volunteer but now is among the majority of medics in her organization who are employees.

"We still would love to have volunteers but just as fire companies are struggling to get volunteers, we have to provide the service so organization have to go paid or they go out of business," she said.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities with fire and ambulance service, including helping with fundraising events.

"We have ways to get people involved," Gonzalez said. "You don't have to ride around in an ambulance to help us out. We do various events. We want to give back to the community that gives us so much."