Pennyslvania Ambulance Service Celebrates 75th Anniversary
May 17—TREVORTON—The last all-volunteer ambulance company in Northumberland County commemorated its 75th anniversary with a look back at the past and celebration of the future.
The Trevorton Community Ambulance hosted its anniversary observance Saturday at its new building—also marking one year since the ribbon-cutting at that location. The celebration included food, music by the Codi and Joe Show and demonstrations of ambulance equipment.
Charlie Paul, ambulance member, credited strong community support for the ambulance's longevity. He said the company has 25 to 30 people involved in all types of activities including fundraising. Six to eight committed members race out on calls around the clock, he said.
"We can rely on them daily," Paul said.
While other companies have faced dwindling volunteer support, resulting in their demise as all-volunteer organizations, Paul said he hopes Trevorton Community Ambulance will continue on for another 75 years. Three or four more people are signed up for the fall emergency medical technician (EMT) training, he said. Their help is essential in ensuring the small town continues to host its own ambulance service, which will keep response times brief because ambulances won't be traveling in from bigger communities.
"The more volunteers we can get, the longer we can keep our doors open," he said. "And the shorter you wait for an ambulance."
Al Hoffman, assistant chief of the company, paused the celebration around 3 p.m. to remark on the loss of Harry Swinehart, a volunteer with the ambulance for 66 years who still had his radio in his pocket when he passed away two weeks ago at age 85.
Swinehart had joined the ambulance in 1949, nine years after its Feb. 21, 1940 founding. In 1975, he became the company's first certified EMT, long before the training became mandatory for volunteers.
"An EMT gave better care," Hoffman said. "That's what Harry was about."
A pink dogwood tree will be planted in the ambulance's yard in remembrance of Swinehart, said Hoffman.
Copyright 2015 - The News-Item, Shamokin, Pa.
