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VMSC is honoring and remembering all those affected by Breast Cancer this month by wearing Breast Cancer Awareness shirts. Our staff purchased these as a fundraiser, with $5 from each shirt going to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition picked by our own Breast Cancer Survivor and EMT Patti K. Do you want a shirt? We are selling them to the public as well! Click the link to order: https://vmscems.myshopify.com/ or call our office at 215-855-3779. $15 for Short Sleeve and $20 for Long Sleeve Orders must be placed by 10/15/22. Shipping or pick-up available. *$5 from each shirt sold will go to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition

The latest partnership undertaken by VMSC shows the department’s dedication to providing the best EMS possible As the VMSC continues to work to create the best EMS service possible for the area, they are proud to announce their latest partnership that will enhance service in the Souderton area. The VMSC and Souderton Community Ambulance Association partnership will see the two agencies co-locate an ambulance in Souderton. “Ensuring we have adequate EMS coverage and response in every corner of our operational area is at the core of our objectives and mission at VMSC,” said chief Shane Wheeler. “This new collaboration will allow our department to better care for those in need in and around Souderton.” “And we are proud to be working with some of the best of our fellow EMTs in the SCAA,” he continued. “They share our vision of ensuring the best care for those under our watch.” The VMSC/SCAA partnership will help the groups better serve their service areas in North Penn and Indian Valley. The partnership is set to take effect on April 1, as the VMSC ambulance augments SCAA teams. “The additional ambulance will enhance our capabilities and improve both agencies’ response times,” Wheeler said. “Through collaboration, our communities and region can be strengthened, and I am excited to see tangible benefits from this association.” And while the services will be able to enhance their capabilities, it also helps insulate the departments from the staffing issues that have plagued emergency response organizations across the U.S. “It takes more than just everyday thinking to solve issues like the ongoing staffing problems faced by many departments,” Wheeler said. “I believe partnerships like this one show how we can all work together to address common problems to better all of our communities.”

41-year-old credits life-saving response to the quick thinking and professionalism of VMSC paramedic and EMT Staff at the VMSC see health emergencies daily. After all, that is their job. But when presented with an unusual case, VMSC paramedic Laura Cole and A-EMT Lt. Abigail Akins went above and beyond, quickly recognizing and treating a patient that credits their response with saving her life, despite the atypical circumstances. “It was an honor to see the board recognize Cole and Akins for their heroic save,” said VMSC chief Shane Wheeler. “The entire corp is full of amazing and talented people who display bravery and professionalism every day, but they went above and beyond to ensure their patient received the utmost in care even with an extraordinary case.” Tara Pedrick, 41, Hatfield was the subject of the call and spoke about the event during the March VMSC board meeting. “On the morning of Feb. 16 I suffered a heart attack,” Pedrick said. “With the bravery of my children, my best friend Melinda and my husband all communicating with 911 and getting EMS to my house quickly, they helped save my life.” Even though it was a rare case, everyone involved treated her in a way that ultimately led to a positive outcome, she said. “Every single person involved took me seriously when I said something was wrong and that I thought I was having a heart attack,” Pedrick said. “Every single one of them acted fast and did what they needed to do to get the ambulance to me ASAP.” Even though she presented with “classic” heart attack symptoms, she said being only 40 a heart attack is so rare that it would have been easy to dismiss the warning signs as something else. But Cole and Akins were different and dismissed the rarity of the event, getting ready to transport Pedrick to the hospital when she experienced a cardiac arrest. “As soon as they saw me, they didn’t hesitate to treat me like I was having a major health concern,” Pedrick said. “They hooked me up to the monitor, took my vital signs and immediately started assessing me. They gave me nitro, and within minutes I was being hauled off to the hospital.” “At every moment, these two heroes made me aware of what was happening and explained what was going on and what they needed to do,” she continued. “They even apologized for cutting my sweatshirt in order to save my life. Their kindness will never be forgotten. I don’t care what people say about bedside manner in an emergency, it makes a difference.” She said despite the scary situation, they were able to put her at ease, and even ensured she was not alone in the hospital until support had arrived. “They waited for my family to arrive and the doctor,” Pedrick said. “They made sure I had my diabetic supplies and my phone. They made sure I called my husband to ensure he knew which hospital I was at, since there was a change in plans where I was being taken. All of these things were taken care of.” Their fast action and trust in the patient, she said, likely saved her life. “Another minute of waiting, another minute of hesitation could have made for a totally different outcome,” Pedrick said. “There is no better feeling than knowing you have saved a life,” Wheeler said. “In this case having these two amazing staff members save this young mother’s life shows how important it is to be ready to respond to any situation, and their actions fill the entire department with immeasurable pride. There is no better example of the EMT and paramedic spirit than the actions of Akins and Cole.”

The latest in improvements envisioned by Chief Wheeler comes to fruition as medical director and assistant are appointed The latest in the recent improvements at the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale has been put in place with the appointment of new medical directors from the Jefferson-Einstein Health EMS and Disaster Management program Tuesday. Ryan Overberger will serve as medical director for the program. Amanda Pacheco will serve as assistant medical director as she completes her fellowship with the Jefferson-Einstein Health System. The partnership between the agencies was an initiative of chief Shane Wheeler, who took over the department early this year with a goal of increasing the level of care offered by the department through advanced training and medical oversight. “The knowledge and ability they will bring into our department will help us create one of the most efficient and effective EMS services in the region,” Wheeler said. “Both Dr. Overberger and Dr. Pacheco bring a wealth of experience that will be extremely valuable for our staff and perhaps more importantly, our patients.” Overberger currently serves as the attending physician in emergency medicine for the Jefferson-Einstein Healthcare Network. Their department specializes in a number of emergency services, including tactical medicine, technical rescue, major incident management and mass gatherings. Their mission “is to prepare physicians, nurses, and out-of-hospital emergency care professionals for the challenges of delivering, researching or planning out-of-hospital emergency medical care in any environment.” With this new medical direction, Wheeler is excited to continue working toward his goal of creating a regional training center for emergency medical services within the VMSC. “Now that the partnership is active, I look forward to exploring ways for the department to utilize some of the best experience and leadership in the region,” Wheeler said.

As an organization founded by a Black American, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps holds high regard for the legacy and contribution to America by Black residents throughout history For perhaps the longest-serving emergency medical services organization across the U.S., the Volunteer Medical Service Corps, history is embedded in everything the organization accomplishes. But even after countless lives saved and a legacy dating to the ’30s, the organization continues to recognize the historic efforts of their founder Frank Erdman Boston, a Black American, during Black History Month. “Dr. Boston is a true American hero who did not seek fortune or fame but instead sought to contribute to his country and contribute to his community,” said administrative manager Bryson Schroeder. “Dr. Boston volunteered and served in WWI, returned to Philadelphia to operate a British and American War Veterans clinic, and settled in Montgomery County.” Boston is credited with starting both a hospital and the ambulance corps, which remain in operation today. “What is arguably the longest-serving emergency medical service in the nation, the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale, was organized by Dr. Boston in 1933,” said George Whitehair, Boston Legacy Foundation executive director. Whitehair has written and spoken about Boston throughout the region and will be a featured speaker during an online panel discussion at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 presented by Bucks County Community College, Bucks County Commissioners and The Boston Legacy Foundation. Whitehair said Boston is a local hero and was active in the community until he died in 1960. “Boston was the VMSC commander and took a leading part in all its activities until he died,” he said. Ahead of his time, Boston was a pioneer of pre-hospital care and transportation in Montgomery County, some four decades before major EMS systems would be established throughout the country. And during his tenure, he achieved several significant accomplishments. “They were there in 1936 in Lock Haven when the rivers flooded,” Whitehair said. “VMSC was called upon to help the flooded communities. VMSC, under Dr. Boston’s leadership, led the rescue effort, which resulted in hundreds of lives being saved.” “Dr. Boston also served as the medical doctor on emergency ambulance runs. His work included a life-saving surgical operation in a farmhouse at night where generators were used for light.” He said his role as a community leader was directly tied to his military service. “There is no doubt that he used his wartime experiences, as bad as they were, to bring about significant and positive changes to his community,” Whitehair said. But while the VMSC reflects on Boston’s legacy and the organization’s accomplishments, their development is ongoing. “Today, VMSC provides state-of-the-art technology, highly skilled paramedics and EMTs, and a modern fleet of ambulances answering nearly 8,000 calls per year,” Schroeder said. “Here was a black doctor who served his country proudly and brought back those battlefield experiences to launch a hospital and ambulance corps, both of which exist today, long after he died in 1960.”

Board approves new chief’s plan to upgrade department technology, develop new partnerships and raise staff wages as significant hiring efforts underway It’s only been a month or so since Shane Wheeler assumed the role of the first full-time paid chief of the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale. But it’s been a big month. The board of directors recently unanimously approved Wheeler’s plan that will see the department modernized through a variety of measures. The plan he said has been the culmination of what he has seen and heard since taking over the department on Jan. 3. “Over the past few weeks, I have taken in the stories, the opinions, the criticism, the hope, the fears, and the facts,” Wheeler said. “What I have discovered are possibility and opportunity.” He said he sees challenges in the department, but by working together the VMSC can continue fulfilling its mission and serve the region well. “I seek concert for a shared success that can be realized built upon the foundation left behind by our founder and those who came before us,” Wheeler said. “I lay out a strategy rooted in kindness and generosity and nourished by our commitment to our communities.” That strategy includes pay raises, new technology, reorganization and a new partnership with the Jefferson-Einstein Health EMS and Disaster Management program. “With a commitment to improving the lives of our teams our board approved a one million dollar increase in salaries,” Wheeler said. VMSC pay rates are now among some of the highest in the country, with emergency medical technicians starting at $25 per hour, advanced-EMTs starting at $27 per hour, and paramedics starting at $31 per hour, with the hopes of attracting top quality candidates to serve the NorthPenn community. Wheeler said he hopes the increase is fruitful as the department looks for more talented individuals to fill their ranks. Currently, the company is doing a large hiring process for EMTs, A-EMTs, and paramedics, with leadership roles also available. “We are needing to hire about 24 people,” said administrative manager Bryson Schroeder. “We are looking for the best and brightest across the U.S. to fill these positions.” Open positions can be seen at VMSCcareers.com. On the technology front, Wheeler said the plan will address hiccups currently in the organization. “Investments in mobile data, intranet, tablet patient care reporting, media, and organizational platforms will streamline our workflow and allow timely communications,” he said. Organization communications, he hopes, will also benefit from a change from an organizational framework that would move VMSC from a volunteer appointment model to a career advancement model. “The reorganization of the continuity of command, and the proportionate distribution of work will allow for timely and accurate outcomes,” Wheeler said. The structure makes clear career and volunteer departments and provides a distinct chain of command, he said.  The current leadership under the new structure includes; deputy chief Lori Dusza, shift commanders Jeff Owler and Ron Wilson, assistant chief volunteer coordinator Mike Rennard, lieutenants Brandon Smith, Brandon Bonjo, Abbey Akins, Collin Hunseeker, Jon Deitmeiter, and administrative manager Bryson Schroeder. More appointments may also be added, Wheeler said. He also wants to make sure his employees can benefit from continued education, in order to best serve the needs of the region. “To achieve mastery, we must invest in education,” Wheeler said. “In what is believed to be the first of its kind in the area, I am pleased to announce that the board has approved a training collaborative between VMSC and JeffSTAT EMS Training.” The deal will see JeffSTAT deliver 624 hours of continuing education, including ACLS, PALS, ATLS, ABLS, ASLS, and an immediate focus on pre-hospital airway management, to the VMSC staff over the next 12 months. In that time Wheeler also plans to create a satellite training center at VMSC to conduct initial certification courses for EMTs and advanced-EMTs.  “I believe that these changes and others will significantly improve our services to the North Penn area,” Wheeler said. “My staff and I look forward to working to transform the VMSC into a leader in emergency medical services.”