IF I NEED AN AMBULANCE, HOW DO I GET ONE?
Chester County operates an Enhanced 9-1-1 system. If you need an ambulance, call 9-1-1 and stay on the line.
WHY DO I GET MULTIPLE AMBULANCES WHEN I CALL 9-1-1?
Most of Chester County operates in a two-tiered EMS system. When you dial 9-1-1 for a medical emergency, you will always receive an ambulance. If the call is determined to be life-threatening, SCCEMS MEDIC 94 will be dispatched in our response vehicle along with the ambulance. Once with the patient, we work as a team to care for the patient. You may even get a law enforcement officer and fire truck on some dispatches.
WHY DO I GET A BILL, IF THE COUNTY MAINTAINS EMS, WHICH IS TAX FUNDED?
Southern Chester County EMS only receives part of its funding via municipal funding, other funding is provided through a billing process. Southern Chester County EMS’s total budget is $1.2 million, billing offsets about 60% of the operational expense.
IS MEDIC 94 AFFILIATED WITH TOWER-HEALTH?
No. We are an independent organization with no affiliation with Tower Health. However, we do rent space from Tower Health for use as our primary station (formerly Jennersville Hospital.)
HOW DO I BECOME AN EMT?
In Chester County, Chester County and the Goodfellowship Ambulance Club offer EMT training. There are other educational institutions that offer EMT training in surrounding counties.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EMT AND A PARAMEDIC?
There is a significant difference; a Paramedic performs advanced therapies such as medication administration, advanced airway maneuvers, electrical cardiac therapies and much more. A paramedic can perform therapies that at one time were solely performed in an Emergency Room. An EMT can perform basic level interventions such as oxygen delivery, bandaging and splinting.
WHAT IS THE PROPER THING FOR DRIVERS TO DO WHEN THEY SEE AN AMBULANCE COMING?
Pennsylvania State Law requires motorist to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles when they are responding with lights and sirens. In most instances, the motorist should slow down and pull to the right edge of the road. Sometimes other maneuvers are necessary, in all cases, it is important not to panic, stay calm and watch what the ambulance driver is doing. The action you will usually take is to safely distance yourself from the ambulance. The ambulance personnel will usually direct you if visual contact can be made.