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.
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