The Wyoming County Healthcare Center, Inc. is pleased to announce that as of July 25, Kunkle Fire and Ambulance, a non-profit organization, will assume Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for Wyoming County by stationing a full-time ambulance on the property along Route 6 in Tunkhannock. This is a significant move to ensure the safety and health of residents amidst challenging circumstances.
Prior to Kunkle Ambulance, Pennsylvania Ambulance provided ALS services to Wyoming County but will cease operations as of July 24. Despite Pennsylvania Ambulance’s efforts and commitment, the financial constraints of operating as a for-profit organization in this challenging environment were insurmountable; however, their contribution to providing paramedic ALS services in our community has been invaluable.
The transition to Kunkle Ambulance marks a critical step in maintaining ALS services in Wyoming County. Unlike Basic Life Support (BLS) services, which include basic emergency care such as CPR, oxygen administration, and first aid provided by emergency medical technicians, ALS offers advanced care through paramedics trained to administer medications, perform advanced airway management, and use sophisticated medical equipment such as cardiac monitoring and intravenous therapy. ALS services are crucial in managing severe medical emergencies and traumatic injuries that require advanced interventions and medications.
“We want to do everything we can to support the community,” states Kunkle Fire and Ambulance Chief Jack Dodson.
Importantly, existing ambulance companies in Wyoming County will continue to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) services. These BLS services remain essential to ensuring immediate comprehensive emergency medical care across the spectrum of needs in the community.
With a significant aging population in Wyoming County, the need for ALS is even greater. ALS services ensure that residents receive timely and effective care during critical moments, which can significantly improve the outcome of life-threatening situations.
To further support the EMS workforce, the Wyoming County Healthcare Center, in collaboration with EMS of Northeastern Pennsylvania, is offering quality training classes for EMS personnel. The center has provided space to hold EMT training classes and other EMS education opportunities in the future, and the county commissioners are offering reimbursements for coursework to incentivize more residents to join the EMS workforce. This initiative is part of a broader state program that allocates $1 million per year to reimburse EMS workers for training expenses and support recruitment and retention programs.
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