Services
Established in 1955, the former West End Community Ambulance Association (WECAA), now Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN)–EMS West End is a nonprofit organization in Monroe County. LVHN–EMS West End maintains a fleet of seven advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) licensed and equipped vehicles.
For many years, the association operated with volunteers. On Dec. 1, 2016, Pocono Medical Center obtained WECAA. One month later, the medical center joined Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) becoming Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Pocono. That move brought WECAA into LVHN, and is now known as LVHN–EMS West End.
Now, all ambulance personnel are professional health care providers.
LVHN–EMS West End is the primary ambulance service for:
- LVH–Pocono
- Chestnuthill Township
- Eldred Township
- Polk Township
- Portions of Tunkhannock
Other areas served by LVHN–EMS West End:
- Hamilton Township
- Ross Township
LVHN–EMS West End also transfers people between medical facilities as arraigned by clinicians or health care facilities.
Professional staff of full-time and part-time employees consists of both advanced life support (ALS) providers and basic life support (BLS) providers.
Coverage is provided 24/7 in an area that totals 175 square miles.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
BLS is the practice by which an ambulance is staffed by either an emergency medical responder and an emergency medical technician-basic or two emergency medical technician-basic staff. As BLS providers, these personnel practice bandaging of wounds, splinting of fractures and maintenance of airways, and provide CPR and defibrillation with the use of automated external defibrillators, administer oxygen, monitor SPO2 saturation, aid in childbirth when necessary and assist patients with state-approved medications.
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
ALS is the practice by which an ambulance is staffed with either an emergency medical technician-basic and paramedic or two emergency medical technician paramedics. As ALS providers, these personnel practice treating traumatic injuries and myocardial infarctions with the aid of medications, administer intravenous therapy for fluids and medications, provide 12-lead EKGs in the field and send results directly to hospital prior to arrival, participate in the pre-hospital stroke alert program with Lehigh Valley Health Network and various additional skills.
Intra-Facility Ambulance Transports
Intra-facility transports are often required due to the patient’s current medical status and requested by a clinician at a health care facility. These transports are necessary when patients require further care or treatment not available at their current health care facility.
LVHN–EMS West End provides these services for many surrounding nursing homes and personal care home facilities.
Medical Team Special Events
LVHN–EMS West End takes pride in being a good neighbor. So, LVHN–EMS West End provides EMT and ambulance standby services at many events in the Poconos. You may have seen LVHN–EMS West End at local 5K races, small fairs and the always-popular West End Fair in Gilbert.
As good community members, LVHN–EMS West End provides CPR and first aid training for the staff and road crews in Chestnuthill, Polk and Eldred townships and Tunkhannock. With the Eastern PA EMS Council, WECAA conducted CPR and first aid training at all school districts in Monroe County.
We provide recertification to current CPR holders in our primary service townships.
In those same townships, LVHN–EMS West End provides preventive smoke alarm maintenance and battery replacement, as well as service and replacement pads for automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
LVHN–EMS West End trains local officials and community members in how to respond to an emergency while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
To arrange for event coverage with medical personnel or training, contact LVHN–EMS West End business office at 272-762-6400 and select Option 1 or submit our form.