Haverford Township, Pennsylvania

In 1966 Congress created the National Highway Safety Administration, which was assigned the responsibility of establishing guidelines for the state Emergency Medical Services Systems and developing a standardized national curriculum for the emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic (EMTP) training programs. Professional requirements for EMT's and paramedic were established, and their treatment capabilities were expanded well beyond that of earlier ambulance personnel.

In 1976, the civic leaders of Haverford Township banned together with Township officials to establish one of the first professional paramedic services in Delaware County, which eventually became a pioneer in the delivery of pre-hospital care in the region. In 1981, Mercy Haverford Hospital, formally known as Haverford Community Hospital, joined hands with Haverford Township to jointly govern paramedic services and to ensure the longevity of this essential service for the residents of Haverford Township. Due to the closure of Mercy Community Hospital in 2002, Haverford Township acquired full financial and administration responsibility of the paramedic services. Due to managed health care and other healthcare changes, approximately thirty hospital based paramedic programs were eliminated which prompted local municipal governments to continue these vital services. From its original inception, the Haverford Township Paramedic Program has remained the exclusive provider of advanced life support services to the residents of Haverford Township.

 

On October 23, 2002, Haverford Township and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania developed a cooperative relationship to ensure that our paramedic team receives medical leadership and training in the most recent advances in pre-hospital emergency medical services and trauma care. The University of Pennsylvania again agreed to continue this cohesive relationship which has benefited our financial stability for the services provided by our paramedic team. All Haverford Township Paramedic's receive medical command direction from Dr. Edward Dickinson, M.D., from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dickinson has extensive experience in the paramedic field, and is nationally recognized as an expert in pre-hospital emergency medical services. We look forward to a long productive relationship with Dr. Dickinson and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Since the establishment of the Haverford Township Paramedic Program over 29 years ago, The Haverford Paramedics has been committed to ensuring that our residents receive the highest quality care and expedient emergency medical services. Through many generations of paramedics, our techniques have honored and our tools refined. The Haverford Township Paramedic Department have always been considered pioneers in the field of Advanced Emergency Life Support Care, with a focus on total quality improvement and service excellence.

Today, the Haverford Township Paramedic Department is responding to increased demands for service by cross-training personnel to perform multiple roles and responsibilities. Some of our personnel have been trained to provide a growing range of services, such as Tactical (SWAT) Response, Bio-Terrorism Response, Fire Fighting, Vehicle Rescue, CPR/First Aid Instructors, Public Educators, Community Outreach, Hazardous Materials and Advanced Life Support Emergency Care.

To meet emerging challenges, our paramedic personnel must rededicate themselves to the traditional values of the emergency medical services system while accepting and preparing for the changes ahead. The department will need to refocus its energy on reimbursement and funding, along with making a new commitment on the changes in our roles and responsibilities. These efforts will prove to be the most effective way to accomplish the department's mission of "Protecting & Saving Lives, Reducing Pain & Suffering, and doing so in a fiscally responsible manner.