Allentown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Receives Four Specially Equipped Mountain Bikes

Bike Team Provides Care to the Sick and Injured at City’s Special Events

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (April 24, 2007) – The call came through to Allentown Emergency Medical Services (EMS): an attendee at Sportsfest was stung by a bee and having a severe allergic reaction. Paramedics rushed to the patient’s side and were able to stabilize the patient. But this first-response team didn’t arrive by ambulance, but rather on mountain bikes.

In 1998, the Allentown EMS, an all-paramedic service, established a bike team to provide care to the sick and injured at various special events throughout the city. “In crowded situations, we’re able to reach patients faster with mountain bikes than an ambulance,” says paramedic Bill Sames, EMS bike team leader. “We can start administering care while the ambulance works its way through the crowd.”

Just recently, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) donated four new mountain bikes to the Allentown EMS. The bikes are specially equipped with bags (called panniers) that carry some basic and advanced medical equipment, including cardiac monitors, advanced cardiac life support medications, small oxygen tanks and various basic life support equipment. “This donation is so important because these bikes are specific to EMS operations,” Sames says. “Previously, we adapted police bikes for our purposes which made it difficult to carry all the necessary equipment. With these EMS bikes, we’re confident we can provide immediate care to patients at special events in the city of Allentown,” Sames says.

Upcoming events where the Allentown EMS bike team will be in service is the South Mountain Middle School Bike Fest and Kids Run on April 28, and the city’s half marathon on April 29. The Allentown EMS bike team also usually provides support at Sportsfest, Mayfair, the Great Allentown Fair and most of the city’s parades.

ARTICLE TOOLS: