Annual Subscription Drive Announced

    DINGMANS FERRY PA — ​It’s that time of year again for Delaware Township residents - Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp (DTVAC) has mailed out its annual subscription membership enrollment forms. By contributing to DTVAC’s annual subscription drive, you will help offset the ambulance squad’s operating costs for another year. Subscription donations are used to purchase emergency equipment, medical supplies, and medications and to provide training to squad volunteers. 

   An ambulance trip to the hospital can cost more than $2,500. Most insurance providers, including Medicare, do not cover the entire portion of the ambulance bill. You can help both yourself and the ambulance squad by participating in the subscription drive. As a subscription member, you will not be billed for balances owed on services that are partly covered by your insurance carrier including insurance copays and deductibles, except for deductibles as mandated by Federal Law. On non-covered services such as non-emergency transports, and patient assessments (patient is not transported) you will receive a 50% discounted rate. 2022-2023 Subscription plans are valid from the date of payment received through December 31, 2023. There is no “proration” for those who wait to subscribe, so the sooner you sign up, the greater the benefit. Review the full subscription letter for subscription membership details. Subscription membership fees are only $40 for an individual, $60 for a couple, or $90 for a household (up to eight persons).

Subscription Drive letters have already been mailed, however, they are only mailed to Delaware Township property owners (on file with the Pike County Tax Claim Bureau). Renters/others will need to obtain a subscription form in one of the following ways: To download a copy of our subscription drive form visit http://www.dtvac.org/subscription-program.html. You can also request a physical copy of the form by calling the ambulance squad at (570) 828-2345 or emailing info@dtvac.org. Physical copies of the subscription form are available in the vestibule of the Delaware Township Municipal Building, 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA. The Township Building is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. 

Your contribution is more important than ever, as the cost of medical supplies, personnel, and training continues to increase. In addition to providing first responder and ambulance services, DTVAC is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services as an advanced life support service, the highest ground-based 911 ambulance service available. DTVAC is also accredited by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council’s Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Expert Level, for its ongoing excellence in caring for pediatric patients. DTVAC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexuality, age, sex, disability, or gender identification. For more information about the subscription program or DTVAC call (570) 828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org. 

Wreath & Bake Sale Fundraiser Announced

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — ​Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is holding its Annual Holiday Wreath and Bake Sale on Friday, December 2nd  from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm and Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the ambulance station, located at 135 Park Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA. Fresh wreaths are an excellent way to decorate your holiday door to welcome guests this holiday season. And they smell great, too! The wreaths are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. They sell fast, so come early to make sure to get yours! Hot chocolate, coffee, baked goods, and a 50/50 raffle will also be available. Food items may contain ingredients known to cause allergies including peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, wheat, eggs, and other items. For more information please call the ambulance station at 570-828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org. 

Annual Subscription Drive in Progress

 It’s that time of year again for Delaware Township residents. Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp (DTVAC) needs your help! By contributing to our annual subscription drive, you will help offset our operating costs for another year. Subscription donations are used to purchase emergency equipment, medical supplies, medications and to provide training to our volunteers. 
    Our personnel continue to fight on the front line of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our agency continues to transport and treat COVID-19 patients and coordinate with other agencies to ensure the well-being of the public. However, the pandemic has taken a serious financial toll on our organization. The cost of medical supplies and personnel continues to rise and for two years now, we have had to cancel all of our large in-person fundraisers. We need your help!
    Although we are a primarily volunteer organization, we must bill for our services. An ambulance trip to the hospital can cost more than $2,000. Most insurance providers, including Medicare, do not cover the entire portion of the ambulance bill. You can help both yourself and our organization by participating in our subscription drive. As a subscription member, you will not be billed for balances owed on services that are partly covered by your insurance carrier including insurance copays and deductibles, except for deductibles as mandated by Federal Law. On non-covered services such as non-emergency transports, and patient assessments (patient is not transported) you will receive a 50% discounted rate. 2021-2022 Subscription plans are valid from the date of payment received through December 31, 2022. There is no “proration” for those who wait to subscribe, so the sooner you sign up, the greater the benefit. Review the full subscription letter for subscription membership details. Subscription membership fees are only $35 for an individual, $55 for a couple, or $80 for a household (up to eight persons).
    Subscription Drive letters have already been mailed, however, they are only mailed to property owners (on file with the Pike County Tax Claim Bureau). Renters/others will need to obtain a subscription form in one of the following ways: To download a copy of our subscription drive form visit http://www.dtvac.org/subscription-program.html. You can also request a physical copy of the form by calling us at (570) 828-2345 or emailing info@dtvac.org. Physical copies of the subscription form are available in the vestibule of the Delaware Township Municipal Building, 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA. The Township Building is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
    Your contribution is more important than ever, as the cost of medical supplies, personnel, and training continues to increase. DTVAC does not receive any direct tax money from local, state, or federal sources. DTVAC is a non-profit organization, established in 1975, that subsists primarily on voluntary contributions and billing income to provide such superb service to our community. DTVAC is dedicated to providing basic and advanced life support ambulance services to the residents and visitors of Delaware Township, Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. In addition, DTVAC provides advanced life support (ALS), the highest ground-based 911 ambulance service available, and mutual aid basic life support services to surrounding municipalities. 

    DTVAC is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services as an Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service, the highest ground-based 911 ambulance service available. DTVAC has been accredited by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council’s Emergency Medical Services for Children Program at the Expert Level, which means that DTVAC has additional pediatric-specific medical equipment on its ambulances, requires EMS providers to complete ChildLine child abuse background clearances, requires EMS providers complete four hours of pediatric-specific continuing education per year, and is actively involved in multiple community outreach programs. DTVAC is the only ambulance service in Pike County with this accreditation. Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexuality, age, sex, disability, or gender identification. For more information about the subscription program or DTVAC call (570) 828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org. 

DTVAC Purchases New Cardiac Monitor

Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps (DTVAC) is proud to announce it has received and placed into service an additional cardiac monitor. The new device, manufactured by Physio-Control, matches the first device purchased by the Corps over five years ago. Membership approved the purchase at their July Membership Meeting after the Pennsylvania Department of Health updated their protocols to allow EMTs to obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram and transmit it to a hospital for interpretation. Previously only paramedics were able to obtain electrocardiograms. The new device will be instrumental in determining if a patient is suffering from a heart attack, allowing DTVAC EMTs to transport the patient to the correct hospital. The physician who interprets the EKG can then alert a specialized cardiac team before the patient even gets to the hospital, ensuring they are waiting for the patient upon the ambulance’s arrival at the hospital. Cardiac team members may be “on-call” and may need to be paged from home and then respond to the hospital in the middle of the night, so this technology definitely cuts down on the time it takes to administer the proper care to the patient. DTVAC is one of only two ambulance services in Pike County with a program for EMTs to obtain 12-lead electrocardiograms. This additional monitor will also help DTVAC increase its advanced life support (paramedic) services next year, as the monitor can be shared and is the most costly piece of medical equipment that paramedics use. The monitor with accessories, data plan, and maintenance plan cost over $40,000.00 and was purchased through donations to the Corps. If you would like to donate to the Corps or to volunteer your time to the Corps call (570) 828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org. 

Annual Child Safety Seat Inspection to be Held

    ​On May 19, 2021, in celebration of Emergency Medical Services for Children's Day, Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps will hold a free child safety seat inspection. The aim of the event is to ensure all parents and caregivers understand how to choose an appropriate seat for the child’s age and size and how to install the seat correctly. Caregivers will be educated on how to select a child restraint that will fit their child, fit their vehicle, and be used correctly every time.

    Getting safety information and car seat instructions to parents and caregivers are crucial to saving young lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger vehicles. Car and booster seats are one of the most important safety devices children use on a daily basis. According to the NHTSA, car fatalities are the leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Checked often, car and booster seats save lives.

    The event will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps Station, 135 Park Road in Dingmans Ferry. The station is located at the intersection of Park Road & Myck Road in Delaware Township. No appointments are necessary. Participants may arrive anytime during the scheduled hours. All adults are asked to wear a face covering. During the event, Child Passenger Safety Technicians from the Pike County Highway Traffic Safety Program and Delaware Valley Emergency Services, will be on-site to help answer any questions. 

    Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps (DTVAC) is accredited at the Expert-level under the state’s Pediatric Voluntary Recognition Program, which recognizes emergency medical services agencies who provide a high level of care to pediatric patients. Events such as the child seat inspection are one of the ways DTVAC maintains this prestigious accreditation. If you are unable to attend this event and wish to have a car seat inspected you can make an appointment by calling DTVAC’s Passenger Safety Technician at (570) 828-2345 ext. 808.

DTVAC Receives Grant for CPR Devices

 DINGMANS FERRY, PA — Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps (DTVAC) has announced it has received a grant award in the amount of $8,993.20 to help offset the cost of a chest compression device to help patients who suffer from cardiac arrest.  The device, called a LUCAS 3, is a mechanical CPR device used to help patients who suffer from a cardiac arrest, a severe medical condition which requires CPR. 

Mechanical CPR, provided by the LUCAS, has been implemented by many hospitals and emergency response agencies because it ensures perfect CPR is constantly being performed in accordance with the American Heart Association guidelines. The device with its accessories, costing almost $16 thousand dollars, allows EMTs to keep CPR going while a patient is being moved, even up or down stairs. It is also a safer way to do CPR when transporting a patient because EMTs can now be seat belted in the ambulance even if they have to transport a patient who requires CPR. Recently, the Department of Defense COVID-19 Practice Management Guide identified the LUCAS chest compression system as the best practice for managing patients in cardiac arrest to reduce the risk of exposure to care providers. In addition, the LUCAS also puts less of a physical strain on ambulance volunteers.  This is DTVAC’s second LUCAS device. Since 2017, DTVAC has used LUCAS devices on patients throughout the County including in Westfall, Blooming Grove, Shohola, and Dingman Townships. The new device, placed in service late last year has already been used to help save the life of a victim in a private community in Delaware Township. 

The grant funding was obtained through the Fire Company & Emergency Medical Services Grant Program administered by the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner. DTVAC is always looking for volunteers to help respond to emergencies, fundraise, and help with administrative tasks. For more information about volunteer opportunities with DTVAC, contact (570) 828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org.

DTVAC Continues to Excel at Pediatric Care

HARRISBURG, PA — Every year, over 100,000 children are transported by ambulances in Pennsylvania. This means that almost every seven minutes, a child is being taken to the hospital with a potentially life-threatening medical condition. In order to ensure that EMS agencies within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are prepared for pediatrics, the Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Services for Children program, in partnership with the Department of Health, Bureau of EMS, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, created the Pediatric Voluntary Recognition Program to recognize EMS agencies that are willing to go above and beyond current requirements to deliver excellence in emergency medical care to children within the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Pediatric Voluntary Recognition Program has recognized over 200 EMS agencies across the state, including Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps, located in Dingmans Ferry, PA.  The program consists of five levels that include pediatric equipment standards, ChildLine background checks, pediatric-related continuing education courses, community outreach programs, and car seat check programs. In 2017, after 18 months of preparation, Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps was recognized at the Master Level, meaning the EMS agency had additional pediatric-specific medical equipment on their ambulances, required EMS providers to complete ChildLine child abuse background clearances, required EMS providers to complete four hours of pediatric-specific continuing education per year, and was actively involved in multiple community outreach programs. 

Since 2017, when Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps was originally recognized under this program, Delaware Valley Emergency Services has provided free FBI background checks and pediatric training to Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps, freeing up funds to allow Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps to purchase thousands of dollars in upgraded pediatric response equipment. Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps has continued its commitment in care to pediatrics, and this month Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps was recognized at the highest level under this program, the Expert level. 

In upgrading from the Master to the Expert level, DTVAC now has a dedicated Child Passenger Safety Technician available to assist in car seat checks at their ambulance station and has a designated Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator who assists with continuing education, skill verification, and equipment purchases relating to pediatrics. Since Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps was originally recognized under this program, Delaware Valley Emergency Services has provided free FBI background checks and pediatric training to DTVAC freeing up funds to allow DTVAC to purchase thousands of dollars in upgraded pediatric response equipment.

By participating in this program, Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is demonstrating that they are truly prepared for pediatric patients and are ready to respond to any and all emergency situations involving Pennsylvania’s youngest citizens. Duane Spencer, Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Service Council, said, “Congratulations to the Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps on their upgrade to the Expert level and continued support of the Pennsylvania Pediatric Voluntary Readiness Program.  Their efforts demonstrate a commitment to readiness, clinical excellence, and patient safety while caring for the pediatric population in your area.”

Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is the only ambulance service in Pike County and only one of fifteen in the EMS of Northeastern Pennsylvania EMS Region to be recognized under this program. The EMS of Northeastern Pennsylvania EMS Region is the designated regional EMS council that serves Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps is the primary ambulance provider for Delaware Township. Additionally, the ambulance service provides mutual aid coverage to municipalities surrounding Delaware Township. They provide both basic and advanced life support ambulance services in eastern Pike County. For more information or for volunteer opportunities with Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps, contact (570) 828-2345 or email info@dtvac.org.