By Jon Meyer
WNEP-TV
LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A special honor was given Sunday to an E.M.T. killed in a car fire earlier this year in Luzerne County. An ambulance dedicated in Swoyersville now bears his name.
The new ambulance arrived for service in Swoyersville. It is expected to help save the lives of hundreds of people and answer thousands of calls for help.
Each time it rolls out it will be in memory of 25-year-old Ryan Broghamer. The deputy director of the Swoyersville Police Community Ambulance Association was killed in a car fire in January.
“This is a special honor,” said association captain Ed Connor. “We’ve never dedicated anything in anyone’s memory.”
They blessed and dedicated the ambulance that now bears Ryan Broghamer’s name. He worked hard helping the association get the new vehicle. The members felt he deserved this recognition.
“I can tell you the kind of guy Ryan was he’s probably saying he doesn’t deserve it,” said president Robert Koval. “But we all know here everything he does and plenty more says he deserves it.”
Broghamer’s parents were in the cab as ambulance association members pushed the vehicle into it’s new home.
Once the ambulance was in place, it said a lot as Broghamer’s dad gave his son’s name a slight tap. His mom then sent out the call to 911 officially putting the ambulance into service.
“It’s meant to be a very, very happy occasion,” said Connor. “I know there were some emotions to it but we certainly do appreciate everyone pulling together to make this whole thing happen. “
“This was our way of saying thank you for everything while you were here with us and you will always be here with us,” added Koval.
The ambulance association has also set up a scholarship in Ryan Broghamer’s name.
Republished with permission from WNEP-TV.