The Public Opinion
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Last week, Shippensburg Area EMS celebrated as its members found out they had received a grant from FEMA that would give them $87,021.
Director Shawn Hartsock applied for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant last fall, and just as the department placed a second medical unit — this time a paramedic unit — into service, it was awarded the grant that prioritized areas that did not have sufficient paramedic coverage, according to a department statement.
“The money couldn’t have been awarded at any better time,” public relations officer Heather Franzoni said in the statement, adding that it was “truly a blessing to the dedicated department that works hard every day to support their beloved community.”
Shippensburg EMS will use the money to help pay for the equipment that was purchased in order to place the second paramedic unit into service, which was done on July 1, according to the statement.
Some of the equipment included in that purchase was cardiac monitors, ventilators, advanced airway equipment and intravenous or IV pumps. The equipment is deemed critical to the success of this unit, according to the statement.
The grant will aid the department with other projects as well, and support it so it doesn’t have to divert money from other projects, according to the statement.
Shippensburg EMS operations officers said they wanted to thank the municipalities and the community that stood behind and supported the expansion of their paramedic services, according to the statement. “We also thank FEMA, our state leaders and our national leaders for taking the time to recognize the important of supported the critical need for paramedic service (ALS) in the greater Shippensbrug area,” according to the statement.
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(c)2014 the Public Opinion (Chambersburg, Pa.)
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