Memorial Hospital's Emergency Medical Services department has a brand new 2010 Ford E350 Guardian ambulance unit. According to Wendy Allen-Smith, manager of Memorial Hospital's Emergency Medical Services, "The new ambulance will significantly increase our ability to provide exceptional emergency medical services to the communities we serve."

"We cover approximately 850 square miles in Bradford and Sullivan Counties by providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) Services and Basic Life Support services (BLS). We have a station here at the hospital and one in Wyalusing at the township building," Allen-Smith said.

"Another important aspect of Memorial Hospital's Emergency Medical Services department is to provide Advanced Life Support ambulance services in conjunction with the many volunteer ambulance organizations throughout our communities," she said.

According to Allen-Smith, the Memorial Hospital EMS department started in 1989 with a single Paramedic response unit to assist basic life support services in Bradford and Sullivan County.

Since that time, the former Towanda Ambulance service group and the former Wyalusing Ambulance service group have merged with Memorial EMS.

Memorial Hospital EMS professionals log 3000 ambulance calls per year and 1,000 non-emergency transports per year.

"Cargill in Wyalusing has donated $5,000 towards the purchase of the new ambulance and Rolling Acres Enterprises has raised and donated $250 at their annual open house," Allen-Smith said.

"We have a goal to raise $200,000 over the next 3 years to replace the older vehicles in our seven-vehicle fleet," said Allen-Smith.

Additionally, the Taylor Foundation has provided Memorial Hospital's EMS with a $31,000 grant to purchase a 2010 FORD E250 Wheelchair Van.

"EMS is an important part of the healthcare system here at Memorial Hospital. We are providing emergency and non-emergency care to the citizens of our communities," she said.

For more information about EMS services at Memorial Hospital or to contribute toward the $200,000 goal, please call Wendy Allen-Smith at (570) 268-2406 or log on to the hospital's web site at www.memorialhospital.org.

This press release was submitted by Memorial Hospital.