F.A.Q.s - EMS

FAQs EMS

What's considered an "Emergency"?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Senate Bill #240):

"Emergency." A physiological or psychological illness or injury of an individual, such that a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the absence of immediate emergency medical services to result in:

  1. Placing the health of the individual or, with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child, in serious jeopardy;
  2. Serious impairment of bodily functions; or
  3. Serious dysfunction of a bodily organ or part.

If you think it's an emergency, it probably is! Call 911! We can always advise you based on what we find when we arrive, and you can then decide whether or not the treatment and/or transport to a hospital is required.

 

[top]

What happens when I call 911?

Your call is handled by the Northampton County E-911 Center. You will speak with a dispatcher who will ask you a series of questions to assure that the appropriate services/personnel are dispatched. This is why it is vital for you to stay on the line with the dispatcher. Note that another person is dispatching the appropriate services required as soon as that determination can be made, and while you are talking to the first dispatcher.

When the 911 center dispatches our service, our pagers alert us, we respond to the station, and respond the appropriate unit.

[top]

Can I accompany the patient in the ambulance?

In general, you may accompany the patient to the hospital by riding in the front with the driver. You must wear your seat-belt and cannot be a hinderance to patient care. In rare cases when the patient may require translation assistance or emotional support to enable effective patient care, you will be permitted to accompany is the patient compartment. This is at the discretion of the crew chief and/or paramedic.

[top]

Is HTVFC EMS a paid service?

No, all of our members are volunteers.

[top]

Is there a "subscription service"?

No. Your donations (Annual Fund Drive & "Santa Day") and tax dollars support the Fire Company.

[top]

To which hospital will the patient be transported?

In most cases, if the patient is stable, we will transport to any hospital in the Lehigh Valley. We encourage patients to consider transport to one of the local hospitals (Lehigh Valley - Muhlenburg or St Lukes - Bethlehem) as their proximity allows us to return to provide services to other residents more rapidly.

If the patient is not stable, we will transport to the closest appropriate facility. In general, when they are stabalized, they can be transported to your preferred hospital.

[top]

Why did you take the patient to St Lukes - Bethlehem when Lehigh Valley - Muhlenburg was closer?

Lehigh Valley - Muhlenburg is the closest hospital, but may not have the specialty required by the patient. St. Lukes - Bethlehem is a Level 1 Trauma Center and as such is required to have all specialties staffed at all time. Patients that require "trauma", pediatric, or OBGYN care will be transported to St Lukes - Bethlehem, after consultation with the family. We are very lucky to be in an area where we can choose between several outstanding hospitals.

[top]

Why did two ambulances respond when I called 911?

HTVFC EMS is a Basic Life Support (BLS) provider. In situations where Advanced Life Support (ALS) intervention might be required (Cardiac Monitoring, IV's, medications, etc.) an ALS unit is dispatched as well. The BLS unit provides care, and will generally transport the patient with the paramedic providing care in the BLS ambulance.

In some cases, we may also request a response from our Fire Service to assist with the call.

[top]

Why did an ambulance from a different township respond when I called 911?

There are several reasons an ambulance from a different township will respond:

  1. T.E.A.M.S. - During the normal work week, between 6am and 6pm, a paid crew is provided by T.E.A.M.S., and responds an ambulance from the station at which they are positioned during that week. T.E.A.M.S. is a cooperative effort between our Hanover Township VFC, and three other EMS agencies: Bath, East Allen, and Hecktown. The crew rotates between the stations. This colaborative effort was born out of necessity, as fewer volunteers are available during the normal work hours.
  2. Mutual Aid - Should the HTVFC EMS be unable to respond, usually because they are committed on another call, Northampton County Dispatch will dispatch "Mutual Aid". Mutal Aid agreements are in place with neighboring agencies to assure that prompt care will be provided.
  3. ALS Servics are required.

[top]

Will I be billed if I call 911 and request an ambulance?

If you are a resident of Hanover Township, we will first bill your medical or auto insurance company as appropriate. You will not receive a bill for the balance as your tax dollars and contributions support our service.

If you are not a resident of Hanover Township, we will bill your insurance company, and you will be responsible for the balance not paid by your insurance company.

We are a volunteer organization and depend on the income received in this manner.

[top]

©2010 Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company. All Rights Reserved.