Millcreek Paramedic Service

Millcreek Paramedic Service, MPS, is a not-for-profit Advanced Life Support service protecting Millcreek Township in Erie, Pennsylvania. MPS was established in 1999 through a combined venture of the five Millcreek Township volunteer fire departments. Belle Valley , Kearsarge, West Ridge, West Lake, and Lake Shore. Prior to the establishment of MPS, these five volunteer fire departments operated Basic Life Support ambulances with Advanced Life Support services being provided by other agencies. The primary reason for the establishment of Millcreek Paramedic Service was to focus Advanced Life Support emergency medicine for the citizens of Millcreek Township while providing the highest level of quality care when summoned. Millcreek Paramedic Service is governed by the Board of Directors comprised of members of the five volunteer fire departments. MPS is a career ambulance service that is owned by the volunteer fire departments and benefits from their expertise and patient care abilities. MPS receives no funding from Millcreek Township. It is a self-supporting, not-for-profit service. All revenue collected from patient transportation is utilized in new equipment and overhead costs. Every dollar collected from services rendered is reinvested into the company, further improving the level of care provided to Millcreek residents and residents in the surrounding areas. Currently MPS has reinvested patient transport revenue into additional medical devices that increase the abilities of our Paramedics and EMTs to treat the citizens of Millcreek Township. MPS is the only ambulance service in the area that utilizes the newest heart monitoring/defibrillating technology on every ambulance. MPS provides the opportunity for advanced 12 lead EKG monitoring and Biphasic technology on every ambulance. In addition, through co-operation with Hamot Medical Center and Saint Vincent Hospital, MPS has the capability of transmitting a copy of the 12 lead to a physician in the Emergency Department for consultation while we are still treating the patient. In a cardiac emergency, this technology and service is invaluable. MPS has also invested in power lift assist stretchers and bariatric patient accessories for our Ferno Stretchers. These new stretchers and accessories allow for greater patient safety and comfort during treatment and transport. The staff of MPS is comprised of approximately 40 Paramedics, EMTs, and administration. The current vehicle fleet includes five ambulances, three wheelchair vans for non-emergency transports, and an ALS quick response unit. MPS responded to over 5,200 calls in 2006 which include emergency and non-emergency transports and Millcreek Fire Control is responsible for the emergency dispatching services for MPS. Millcreek Fire Control also handles the after hours answering service for MPS as well as dispatching responsibilites for the five area volunteer departments of Millcreek Township. The Executive Director of MPS is Jim Miara. Jim is responsible for the administration duties of MPS and reports to the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. Jeff Hulings, Chas Auen and new to the MPS supervisory staff, Brandon Kramer are on duty-supervisors that manage specific aspects within operations reporting to Jim Miara. The Medical Director for MPS is Dr. Paul Kohut. MPS currently provides mutual aid to the following agencies: West County Paramedic Association: Covers the area West of Millcreek Township to the Ohio state line Central Erie County Paramedic Association: Covers Edinboro, McKean, and Franklin Township Emergycare: Covers the City of Erie and the East and South county areas.