Thompson Announces $72,000 Award for Community Ambulance Services in Franklin

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $72,000 to Community Ambulance Service (CAS) in Franklin, Venango County. Thompson was in Franklin today to discuss current emergency operations and how the CAS Franklin will utilize the funding, which had been awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG).

“These grants are geared toward meeting the critical needs of our emergency responders,” said Thompson. “This grant will assist Community Ambulance Service obtain life-saving equipment needed to protect our communities,” added Thompson.

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other emergency responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. Because of this grant, Community Ambulance Service will be able to purchase three new emergency defibrillators to outfit their ambulances.

CAS Executive Director John Anderson commented on the capabilities of the monitor/defibrillators: “These new cardiac monitor/ defibrillators are capable of watching the heart rhythm, oxygen saturation, 12-lead EKG, and carbon monoxide levels in the body.” The new purchase will replace existing out-dated monitors.

“This equipment will enable us to improve our emergency patient care capabilities,” said Anderson. “These new monitors are powered by Lithium-ion battery technology, which will provide longer battery run time and they will require less maintenance, and can also serve as external pace-maker,” Anderson added. Community Ambulance Service has contributed $18,000 as their share of the project.

Community Ambulance Service has been serving Venango County since 1967, when they began emergency operations with one ambulance. Today, CAS has a fleet of 7 ambulances, 8 wheelchair vans, and an Advanced Life Support Squad unit, all the units are licensed by the Commonwealth’s Department of Health. CAS employs 50 fulltime and casual employees.

###