Lancaster EMS in the News

"I think sometimes when people are discharged from the hospital, or they're facing a medical crisis or facing some illness, they don't even know where to start," [Carli Bechtold] said.

Pennsylvanians who received an EMT, AEMT, EMR or paramedic certification after July 1. 2023, are eligible to have a portion of their tuition reimbursed.

"On the 911 side, we have to get there if there’s an emergency. And on the [community care] side of things, we want to get there," said Bechtold.

"It feels really good," she said, "because it took a long time to build rapport within the community. … (T)hey know we are here, and they are willing and ready to use us."

On Tuesday, first responders were recognized for their life-saving efforts on Father's Day in West Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.

It's important to help reduce back injuries, to know what you're going into, to be able to figure out what a situation looks like, to help keep themselves safe as they're moving and lifting patients," Ann R. Seaton, an athletic trainer from Lancaster General Health Sports Medicine, said.

The arrangement is the first of its kind in the area and the work includes prevention, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate care, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning.

“Every day these EMS professionals move heavy equipment and patients. In order to prevent low back injuries, it is important for them to have proper moving and lifting techniques,” said Ann Seaton, Physician Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer at LG Health.

“We're idling, we're driving lots of miles, and every penny that gas prices go up has a sizable impact on us,” said Jerry Schramm, Director of Operations at Lancaster EMS.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something it’s paying off what we’re doing that we’re actually going to be doing something productive for this community,” Raffensberger said.

“It makes it as easy as possible. We want to be as open, no barriers, no questions,” said Bob May, executive director for Lancaster EMS.

"Several EMS crews and hospitals report they have seen an influx of calls and patients as they scramble to find more beds and staffing."

“It's overwhelmingly stressful. You never know what you're going to experience when you come into work that day,” said Jerry Schramm, with Lancaster EMS.

“When I heard they could come to my home, that made it so much better. Because of my disabilities, it’s hard for me to move from A to B, so coming to my home was the key to this whole thing. I was so glad to hear that when they called.”

“It’s important for us to take that supply that we have and administer it equitably,” May said.

“It has been a really exciting opportunity. We are very blessed to have a pathway through the Department of Health to give chilhood vaccinations. It was a natural next step." -Dr. Mike Reihart

“It was clear yesterday the people we vaccinated probably would have not been vaccinated if it wasn’t for us coming to them,” Lancaster EMS Executive Director, Bob May, said.

"'At that point, we were averaging four, five patients a day. Now we're running averages up to about eight', Lt. Andy Gilger said."

"T-Mobile is supporting events like this one all over the country to honor our incredibly selfless and brave First Responders. Now, more than ever, we rely on them to keep us safe and what better way to show a small token of our gratitude than making sure they have a warm meal and a 'thank you'."

"'During the pandemic, our emergency responders have become more important than ever,' Gov. Wolf said."

"[Aura Espresso Room donated] $1000 and presented checks, along with giftcards, to police, fire, hospital, and EMS workers."

"The Exterior Company donated 50 meals to the Lancaster EMS team, all to make sure dads felt appreciated on their special day."

"Two groups in Lancaster are making sure that dads who had to work today did not go unnoticed."

"Here at Plough Restaurant, Chef Ryan McQuillan and his friends from the High Real Estate Group are making and creating a difference."

"Our congregation was very excited. I think they realize the risk these people are taking in serving on the front lines, the sacrifice, the long hours, the disruption to their families that their job causes."

"We are grateful once again to have the opportunity to work with the Gary Sinise Foundation, an organization committed to serving America's heroes and their loved ones. The Foundation has a long history of honoring first responders, and we are proud to be working with them to identify first responder departments, including both fire and EMT station, across the county where essential equipment, like our tires, can have the greatest impact,"

"Cooper tires, and the Gary Sinise Foundation, are donating brand new tires to Lancaster EMS for their rigs. It's part of a nation-wide program that gave tires to eight EMS agencies."

“In EMS, you're exposed to a lot of things and you're always careful, and you you put every precaution in place, but with this particular virus, there's so many patients who are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms so it's in the back of your head, 'have I been exposed or not and haven't known it’”

“Right now, we’ve got to stay focused. Stay home. Practice social distancing. Wear a mask in public. Cover coughs and sneezes. And wash hands often.

Thanks to you, we’re saving lives. But it’s not time to let up.”

“It makes it feel extra special. Especially to have a veteran who is giving so much back to the community, who has already gave so much to his country,”

Appreciation for the agency has been strong the past few days, he said. "We're much appreciative of it"