AHN community response unit made impact, was worthy investment
When responding to an emergency, an extra set of hands can make a difference.
The Allegheny Health Network Wexford Community Response Unit provides that for many emergency situations in southern Butler County.
We should count ourselves lucky to have that resource. Not every community is so fortunate.
Since October 2021 when the unit — an SUV-size vehicle driven by paramedics that can assist area EMS providers at crisis scenes — has responded to more than 600 calls. These calls include accidents and medical emergencies across Cranberry Township, Adams Township, Mars, Seven Fields, Middlesex Township and Valencia.
In many of these situations, having a second paramedic to lend a hand makes stressful situations easier to navigate. In an article that ran in the July 5 print edition of the Butler Eagle, Megan Lenz, supervisor of AHN prehospital response, notes that in the case where someone is drowning or giving birth, an extra set of hands is often needed.
In other situations, there may be multiple victims needing care.
The extra set of hands just may save a life.
The unit’s paramedics and EMTs might initiate patient care at a scene and are able to ride along in the vehicle of another EMS service when needed. The unit also arrives with extra — often valuable life-saving — equipment in tote to the scene of an emergency.
Further, it’s noteworthy that the AHN unit will take patients to any hospital. It transports the patient where they want to or need to go. It doesn’t simply funnel patients to its own hospital.
Recently, the unit added a new special service vehicle, complete with equipment upgrades. By the sounds of it, it’s an investment that would have come even sooner if it weren’t for supply chain shortages facing EMS providers. The old vehicle will remain as a spare.
The new AHN unit is an extra set of wheels to help those extra set of hands get around — and it’s another appreciated investment in Butler County.
— TL
