Public support essential for Tri-Community South EMS in Bethel Park

Housed in the garage of Tri-Community South Emergency Medical Services are six ambulances and two sport-utility vehicles, which should qualify as reassuring numbers for residents of its coverage area in Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair and South Park Township.

For further peace of mind, everything is updated frequently.

“We replace our trucks every three years,” Chief Keith Morse said, but the practice comes at a substantial price: “We are now spending about $275,000 for a new ambulance, plus the equipment that goes inside.”

Keeping up with advances in safety, the service purchased a cot-fastener system to ease the loading and unloading process while helping to prevent trauma injuries.

“That is $40,000, in as of itself,” Morse said. “A cardiac monitor is about $60,000 now.”

As an entity that receives nothing in the way of municipal tax dollars, Tri-Community South’s continued ability to respond and transport in an effective manner depends to a large degree on financial support from the people it serves.

In the fall, residents can expect to receive subscription requests, at $60 for an individual or $70 per household, with the option of an additional donation.

For those who wonder why it’s a good idea to subscribe, administrative assistant Natalie Shiff cites a savings factor.

“All the billing has gotten so expensive. It’s about a thousand dollars to ride an ambulance. If their insurance does not pay for everything, we will pay for half of it,” she said, and with a household subscription: “It will take care of anyone who walks on their property.”

To provide more details, Tri-Community South has open houses scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20. Guests will have the opportunity to speak with Morse and other members of the staff, and they can take a look around the expansive EMS headquarters, which opened in 2005 at 5490 Progress Blvd. in the Bethel Park Industrial Park.

“We are very lucky to have this space,” Morse said, and the service has enhanced its coverage by stationing vehicles at the volunteer fire departments in Upper St. Clair and South Park. “We’ve really decreased our response time into those communities. That’s our biggest goal.”

The added visibility helps, too.

“I’ve gotten calls from people in Upper St. Clair and South Park who say, ‘Oh, we didn’t know about you guys. You’re out here. I’d like to subscribe,’ because now they see us,” Shiff said. “That’s huge.”

The headquarters hosts training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic life support, with the public invited to participate in many of the sessions.

New in the lobby is a touch-screen device through which residents can check on upcoming classes, keep current with their bills and pay for subscriptions. According to Shiff, people are welcome to purchase subscriptions on behalf of others, such as older parents.

And of course, prospective emergency medical technicians and paramedics are encouraged to inquire about joining the much-needed ranks of first responders.

“We’re all struggling to find folks who want to do that,” Morse said.

In September, he and Shiff, along with finance manager Justin Davey, will mark their first anniversary of joining Tri-Community South EMS.

The service, established in 1977, covers 33 square miles in its three municipalities, which have a combined population of about 66,000. For more information, visit www.tcsems.org.