Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Aston Ambulance Authority?
The Aston Ambulance Authority provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to the community as part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. In Pennsylvania, municipalities are required to designate an emergency medical services provider.
How does the system work?
The EMS system consists of various components, including 911 telecommunication dispatchers, police, EMS providers and healthcare entities such as hospitals.
Typically, when experiencing a medical emergency, individuals will call 911 and speak with an emergency telecommunications dispatcher at the Delaware County Emergency Services Center. During the 911 call the dispatcher will ask details regarding the emergency such as the location and extent of injuries. During this process the dispatcher will begin simultaneously dispatching units to respond to the location of your call.
The questions asked during your 911 call help to dispatch the most appropriate equipment and providers to your emergency. At times, based on the severity of your emergency, different types of emergency personnel will be assigned to your call. These providers can include police, fire department vehicles, rescue vehicles, EMTs and / or Paramedics. Which units are dispatched to your emergency are based on the believed severity of the emergency.
Ambulances are vehicles that typically transport the ill / injured to a hospital. In Pennsylvania, Ambulances can be staffed with Basic Life Support EMS providers, Intermediate Advanced Life Support EMS providers and / or Advanced Life Support Providers.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Providers consist of Emergency Medical Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). These providers receive training on basic life support care such as CPR, AED usage, splinting and non-invasive airway management.
Intermediate Advanced Life Support (IALS) Providers consist of Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs). These individuals receive the same training as EMTs, however also receive advanced training including administering certain medications and starting IVs. Prior to becoming an AEMT providers must have been certified as an EMT.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Providers consist of Paramedics, Prehospital Registered Nurses (PHRNs), Pre Hospital Physician Extenders (PAs) and Pre Hospital Physicians. These providers receive over 1200 hours of advanced training in clinical medicine, including pathophysiology and pharmacology. These providers can start IVs, administer over 30 different medications, place breathing tubes and interpret cardiac rhythms using a cardiac monitoring device. Prior to becoming a Paramedic, individuals must have previously been certified as an EMT.
Does every emergency require a Paramedic?
No. Some 911 calls can be appropriately managed by Basic Life Support (BLS) Providers. These calls, although still emergencies, may not call for clinical care or services above the level of that can be provided by an EMT. Examples of these types of calls are falls without major injuries, superficial cuts / bruises and general weakness / illness.
Who needs Advanced Life Support?
Typically Advanced Life Support (ALS) is required by individuals suffering from life threatening medical emergencies. Examples of these emergencies include stroke, heart attack, severe traumatic injuries, respiratory problems, severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest. This is not a comprehensive list, however names a few common calls requiring an ALS provider.
Who arrives in the Ambulance?
In some EMS systems an ALS provider may be on the ambulance that arrives at your emergency, in other systems the ambulance may have only BLS or IALS providers. In areas serviced by the Aston Ambulance Authority, Ambulances that arrive at your emergency are typically equipped to handle Basic Life Support (BLS) emergencies. If your call is deemed to to require Advanced Life Support (ALS) then a Paramedic will arrive in a separate vehicle which contains the additional advanced equipment. Having a paramedic respond separately from the ambulance is called a Tiered Response System.
What is the benefit of the Tiered Response System?
As not all emergency calls require Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, having the paramedic in a separate vehicle allows for increased flexibility and availability for high acuity emergencies. For example, if a paramedic was on an ambulance that responded to a BLS call for service, the paramedic would be committed to that call until it was completed. In a tiered response system, the paramedic remains available for high acuity emergencies rather than becoming committed / unavailable handling Basic Life Support calls.
The Tiered Response System ensures that the highest level of prehospital care remains available for emergencies demanding the highest level of care.
Does the Aston Ambulance Authority have Ambulances?
No. The Aston Ambulance Authority does not have transport capable ambulances. Instead we provide advanced life support services, with our providers arriving in separate non-transporting EMS vehicles. Transport capable units are provided by our community partners, including the Aston Township Fire Department, who operate Basic Life Support Ambulances.
I received a fund drive letter from my Fire Department? Is this my annual fee?
No. Most Fire Departments in Delaware County are formed as primarily non-profit organizations. As non-profits, these organizations solicit donations from community members to support their organizations, including any Basic Life Support ambulance services they may provide. Any contributions made toward your local fire department are to the individual organization itself and do not go toward the required annual fee for the Aston Ambulance Authority.