Centre LifeLink will be hosting the third annual Safe and Seen in the Ballpark with the State College Spikes.
Families are invited to enjoy safe trick or treating throughout the ballpark suites. Suites will be decorated and staffed by local non-profits and other local businesses. Seasonal games and crafts will also be available along the concourse.
September 30, 2015–Centre LifeLink replaced an old ambulance in its fleet with a new one, with the funds raised from the 2015 Membership Drive. The 2015 Horton Type III Model 553-C Ambulance on a Ford E-450 super-duty chassis replaced a 2003 Horton Type III that was rechassised in 2008. The old ambulance had travelled 167,700 miles and was still in good condition, but was no longer reliable for everyday emergency ambulance service.
Features in the new unit include:
Horton’s exclusive occupant protection system (HOPS) for maximum safety for our staff and our patients.
Intelliplex i4G Electrical system
The new ambulance was $181,177, and Centre LifeLink was able to make this purchase thanks to its 2015 members. Funds raised from the annual membership campaign are designated to make capital purchases, this year’s purchase being a new ambulance.
Centre LifeLink will be donating the old ambulance to the State College Police Department. “The State College Police Department responds and offers assistance to Centre LifeLink EMS on a majority of our emergency calls, and we are very grateful for their help,” says Scott Rawson, Executive Director for Centre LifeLink EMS.
The Police Department will be using the donated ambulance for numerous functions including for transporting crime scene and serious crash investigation equipment as well as housing crisis negotiators during a critical incident.
August 17, 2015– Centre LifeLink EMS has reached the Master Level of the Pennsylvania EMS for Children Pediatric Voluntary Recognition Program.
LifeLink was recognized at the basic level with the inception of the program back in 2013 and has been implementing new training and background checks to reach the advanced and now master level of the program.
In addition to training and other efforts, Centre LifeLink has committed to providing community outreach programs focusing on pediatric education and injury prevention.
This achievement demonstrated Centre LifeLink’s commitment to improving emergency medical care for our children.
For more information on the the Pennsylvania EMS for Children Pediatric Voluntary Recognition Program, please visit http://www.paemsc.org
June 3, 2015–Centre LifeLink volunteer EMT Anand Swaminathan received the State College Sunrise Rotary Club’s 2015 Four-Way Test Award. The Four-Way Test Award, presented to local emergency service volunteers, recognizes local fire and ambulance volunteers within the State College area whose daily volunteer activities epitomize the “Four-Way Test”.
The “Four-Way Test” encompasses a test of the things we think, say or do, and include:
Anand has volunteered 2,552 hours since 2011 and was selected as Centre LifeLink’s “Volunteer of the Year” for 2014. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Acoustic Engineering. Anand received this award alongside Joe Davidson, of Boalsburg Fire, and Don Madden, of Alpha Fire.
Centre LifeLink invites the community to stop by our station to celebrate EMS & Police Week, on May 16th at 125 Puddintown Rd. State College, PA 16801 (Centre LifeLink main station).
State College Police will be performing car seat checks and will also have a motorcycle officer demonstration. Additional demos by the North Central Highway Network will be offered, including seatbelt and helmet safety.
Centre LifeLink will provide light refreshments and ambulance and station tours.
The event and parking is free and will be held, rain or shine!
March 25, 2015–The Centre County Sudden Cardiac Arrest Chapter recognized Scott Nakoski, employee of KoKo Fit Club, for responding to a sudden cardiac arrest that took place on March 6th.
Nakoski witnessed the patient collapse and began CPR until another bystander took over while he ran for the AED in the gym. Scott’s rapid response and use of an AED aided in the return of circulation for the patient.
Effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival, but only 32 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander (American Heart Association). Sadly, less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.
Centre LifeLink encourages everyone in our community to learn CPR. CPR classes are offered monthly at Centre LifeLink’s main station.
Pictured – John Torres (PSU Police), Scott Woodring (Port Matilda EMS) Mark Koschny (KoKo FitClub), Scott Nakoski (KoKo FitClub), Scott Rhoat (Bellefonte EMS), Dr. Botti (Mount Nittany Medical Center)
For more information about the Centre County Chapter of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, or Centre LifeLink EMS training classes, please contact Kent Knable at kknable@centrelifelink.com or 814-237-8163
A special thank you to photographer Carl Knowlton
Each year, Cente LifeLink EMS recognizes staff and volunteers with an awards banquet.
Executive Director’s Award: Ashley Crock and Vicki Weaver
March 2, 2015– Centre LifeLink crews experienced an all-time low number of calls during State Patty’s 2015 with 49 total calls, 32 being alcohol related.
These numbers were similar to last year’s, with 50 total calls, and much lower than previous years, with as many as 72 reported in 2013.
This weekend’s numbers are comparable to a slower football weekend.
February 23, 2015– Centre LifeLink EMS has partnered with the local organization The Jared Box Project, and will transport boxes filled with toys and games for select age ranges to chronically ill or injured children in hospitals across Pennsylvania.
The Jared Box Project began in memory of a 5 year old boy named Jared who battled cancer. His classmates at Our Lady of Victory honored their friend and classmate Jared, by starting this project. A shoebox size plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, cards, and games. Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
Centre LifeLink is very proud to partner with such a special project and will have boxes on hand to present to injured or ill children in the ambulance during transport. For more information, or to learn how you can help, please visit http://www.thejaredbox.com
February 4, 2015– Centre LifeLink was one of six recipients of the Rotary Club of State College’s Annual Sandwich Sale.
Centre LifeLink and Strawberry Fields were featured recipients, and other local organizations were also recipients of the proceeds from the annual fundraiser.
Thank you!