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Lackawanna Ambulance stays in good health

Largest ambulance company in NEPA will note 11th anniversary on Aug. 4.

Lackawanna Ambulance, the largest EMS and medical transportation provider in northeastern Pennsylvania, is preparing to mark a milestone.

On Aug 4., the association will celebrate its 11th year in operation, said Vice President Michael McCormick.

Lackawanna Ambulance was formerly based in Peckville and now has a new home in Scranton, after a January move.

Founded on Aug. 4, 1998, Lackawanna Ambulance began with two ambulance vehicles and two employees.

“We developed out of necessity for good ambulance service and quality compassion,” said McCormick. Today, McCormick said, “We staff 20 ambulances and 15 wheelchair vans.” Currently, with paramedics, EMS, dispatchers and business office workers the company employs just a little more than 150 people.

“We’ve grown because of the service that we provide and our mission is to provide the best possible service. A lot of hard work, a lot of sweat, but it’s worth it. It’s a great business. It’s great to serve the people that need us, and often they need us when they need us most.

“It’s all about providing service and compassion to someone,” he added.

“We strive for compassion for people that are in their time of need ...We want to make their trip…somewhat enjoyable. We’re not only there to be taking care of them, we’re there to be an advocate for them,” added Joseph Moran, operations supervisor.

On Friday, the company began presenting events in the community to mark National Emergency Services Week, which continues through Saturday, May 23.

National Emergency Medical Services Week, McCormick said, “gives nationwide recognition to the men and women who serve in EMS: EMTs, paramedics, first responders, nurses, physicians, dispatchers.”

“It gives an opportunity to promote their service to raise community awareness through service or through education and that’s what we’re trying to do, that’s what we always try to do,” he added.

Events for EMS week began with a barbeque on Friday. McCormick said managers and administration were to cook hamburgers and hotdogs for the employees of Lackawanna Ambulance and other public service agency employees of the companies that Lackawanna Ambulance serves, including firefighters, police, nursing homes and hospitals workers.

“It’s kind of a way of saying ‘thank you,’ kind of a way to pay tribute to the people that work in our industry and within our company. Also, a way to kind of thank the people that trust us with our service,” McCormick said.

On Saturday, McCormick will speak with a group of Girl Scouts at the Everhart Museum in Scranton about careers in EMS and health care.

On Monday, McCormick said, “we have a program at South Scranton Intermediate School,” where 40 middle school children will attend. He said he’ll talk to them about safety, EMS awareness and what they can do to help a situation before an ambulance arrives. “There’s a lot of things we can (teach) a child at that age. How to dial 911, what to say, who to speak to.” Careers will also be discussed at the event. Later in the week workers will visit senior centers to educate them.

“We realize that’s a vital part of reaching out to the community.” McCormick said, “another way is through training and education.”

McCormick noted that adult, child and infant CPR classes, first-aid classes, AED education classes and more advanced classes for industry professional are available for different ages and different skill levels. The classes are held at Lackawanna Ambulance, 1000 Remington Ave., Scranton, every first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.

For more information on the classes, contact Chris Taramelli, director of operations, at 207-5200.