What happens if you call 911 for an ambulance and no one responds?
This may become a real scenario due to the severe EMS (Emergency Medical Services) crisis that is occurring across the United States.
Funding for these services has diminished and operating expenses have increased. Staffing issues have become critical as people are leaving the EMS field in record numbers. This exodus is occurring within our hospitals as well.
Upper Bucks Regional Emergency Medical Services (UBREMS) has been serving our municipalities for more than 65 years.
UBREMS is assigned by the municipality to provide 911 ambulance services, but it is not an extension or department of the municipality. It is also not a part of any fire company.
It is a separate entity and therefore it does not receive any portion of that particular (fire company) funding. UBREMS is your nationally accredited 24/7/365 911 ambulance service for Bedminster, Bridgeton, Durham, Haycock, Nockamixon, Riegelsville, Richland, Springfield, and Tinicum and their surrounding areas.
We are a non-profit Paramedic Mobile Intensive Care Unit licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide Advanced Life Support, emergency medical treatment, and transport to residents and visitors in the 185 square miles of Upper Bucks County.
Stations are located in Nockamixon and Springfield townships.
In 2022, we responded to 1,576 medical emergencies in the community. We also provide mutual aid to Quakertown, Perkasie, Sellersville, Coopersburg, Center Valley, Hellertown and Easton.
Currently, UBREMS relies on financial assistance from each of your municipalities, grants, and call reimbursements from insurances and subscriptions.
Unfortunately, the shortfalls from these revenue sources are becoming greater each calendar year. And our subscription drive has a response rate of less than 15%. That means that only 15% of the population within our municipalities participate in the subscription service.
If you’re not a subscriber, you should be. Not only does the drive support some of your essential ambulance services, but UBREMS writes off balances due (after insurance co-pays are satisfied) for medically necessary ambulance services of subscribers after their bills are properly processed by insurance companies saving hundreds of dollars per occurrence.
There is also a significant discount for uninsured individuals. You should receive a subscription request letter in the mail by early May but, if not, please visit https://ubrems.org/subscribe for more information.
Please give thoughtful consideration in supporting UBREMS through this subscription drive.
Vera Deacon is vice president of the UBREMS’ board of directors.
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