May 21-27 is National EMS Week, a time when the nation recognizes the work of first responders in emergency medical services (EMS).

At the West Grove Fire Company, we are exceptionally proud of the EMTs that staff our ambulances 24 hours each day, and for the compassionate care they provide to patients thousands of times each year. The WGFC has an amazing team of career and volunteer EMTs who respond to EMS emergencies under all sorts of conditions.

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. This year's theme is EMS: Where Emergency Care Begins. In Chester County, EMS Week includes an annual banquet, to be held this evening in Kennett Square, where EMS providers come together to be recognized for their accomplishments in the last year. The WGFC is expected to be recognized for its work this evening (stay tuned for this exciting news).

In 2022, there were 3,142 calls for ambulances, which is an increase of 246 calls over 2021, an 8.4% increase. WGFC EMS, which now operates four ambulances from the West Grove and New London stations, had a 96% response rate for the year. This means West Grove ambulances covered 96% of the calls we were dispatched to, relying on mutual aid for the remaining 4% where we were already committed on other calls. For those calls, here is a breakdown by township:

- 222 in Franklin
- 169 in London Britain
- 631 in London Grove
- 149 in Londonderry
- 344 in New London
- 1070 in Penn
- 176 in West Grove borough.

There were 381 calls for mutual aid across 18 other municipalities, with 42 in East Nottingham, 49 in Lower Oxford, 91 in New Garden, and 80 in Oxford -- reflecting the strong working partnership with neighboring services, and similar impacts of increased call volume across southern Chester County. 988 of the calls were basic life support calls handled only by West Grove's ambulance crews. An additional 768 calls were advanced life support calls, with Medic 94 on board for most (but also other medics as well, including those from Longwood for example). 1069 calls were second calls, meaning two EMS runs at the same time.

For WGFC, the impact of the Jennersville Hospital closing remains a significant factor working to drive both call volume and in service times. The long travel times to Chester County Hospital and Christiana Hospital keeps crews away from the district for extended periods. Continued patient volumes from Covid-related calls also contributed to call volume as well. Call volume continues at a brisk pace in 2023, with 232 calls in January, 238 in February, 242 in March, and a very busy month in April at 260 - signaling 2023 as another busy year for WGFC EMS.

Throughout it all, our EMTs and others on the ambulance have worked hard to provide timely compassionate care, treating every patient as if it was their own family, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Given the call volume, West Grove's ambulances are constantly on the move, with crews working from both the West Grove and New London stations. When you see these true professionals, please thank them for their work and their commitment -- especially this week as we celebrate our West Grove team during EMS Week!

For more information on EMS Week nationally, see: https://www.ems.gov/resources/newsletters/spring-2023/ems-week-2023-breakdown-access-daily-resources/#:~:text=National%20EMS%20Week%202023%E2%80%94held,profession%20and%20its%20dedicated%20providers.