Marple Township Ambulance Corps’ New Home

Our Community feature by Holly Stupak

Handling Today’s Demands and Future EMS Needs

MTAC’s new facility

Photo courtesy of MTAC

In September, the Marple Township Ambulance Corps (MTAC) moved into its brand-new, bigger, state-of-the-art headquarters on Malin Rd, across from the Broomall Firehouse. Designed by Bernardon, the same architecture firm that designed the new Broomall firehouse, the new MTAC facility can accommodate more emergency vehicles and helps the MTAC be prepared to handle today’s demands as well as future needs.

Since the MTAC was formed in 1949, they’ve had four locations. They were first headquartered on West Chester Pike, in the area where John’s Auto Body is now, and the first ambulance was stored in a building owned by George Parker, Sr., one of MTAC’s founding members. In 1960, to keep up with the community’s growing need for emergency service, they moved to the building on Sproul Rd at Harding Rd. In the 1980s, that building was structurally reinforced to accommodate larger and heavier vehicles, and then it underwent structural changes again in 1995.

L-R: Andrew Tucker, Delaware County DA Jack Stollsteimer, State Rep. Jen O’Mara and William Downey

Photo courtesy of MTAC

As Marple Township’s population grew, so did the need for storage of medical supplies, ambulances, rescue vehicles, and space to train Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). “We’ve been wanting to move to the Malin Rd location for 20 years,” said Andrew Tucker, Deputy Chief of Operations. “Thanks to an additional grant from the state, we were able to make it happen this year. Construction was delayed a bit due to the pandemic, but it was finally ready for us to move into in September. We are looking forward to hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Spring 2021.”

Under the leadership of MTAC Board President Thomas Gorski and Chief of Operations William Downey, the MTAC has 80% career paramedics/EMTs and 20% volunteers. They are a unique corps because even though they work and train with volunteers of the Broomall Fire Company, they’re one of the two volunteer ambulance associations in the county not affiliated with a fire company.

Shortly after they moved to their new facility, the MTAC acquired NARC-ID, a cutting-edge portable narcotic safe system that helps EMTs keep safe and secure the medications that they carry for pain or sedation. “This new tool will help keep secure Class 2, 3 and 4 medications that are stocked in both the building and in the ambulances,” said Andrew. “We’re thankful to State Rep. Jen O’Mara and the District Attorney’s office, whose grant money allowed us to make this purchase,” Andrew added.

The MTAC was also one of several local fire and EMS organizations who received state funding through Act 26. The $15,048 grant they received in October can be used for operational and equipment expenses to help offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Since April, we’ve responded to over 300 calls from patients with COVID-related symptoms, and about 62% have been positive virus cases.

The five nursing homes in our area have been hit hard with the virus and have kept us very busy,” said Andrew. “The grant we received will really help to offset our rising costs due to the pandemic.”

Set for pilot of TV series The Paramedic Angel

Photo courtesy of MODA Photography

With moving to the new facility, getting underway using NARCID, and COVID-19 related emergency calls, it’s been a busy fall for the MTAC. In October, the new facility was also used as a set for the pilot of a new TV series, The Paramedic Angel (theparamedicangel on Facebook). The series’ Writer and Director, Chuck Rayner, a Delaware County native, a former paramedic and one of Andrew Tucker’s close friends, will pitch the pilot to several different networks. Chuck enlisted the help of his friend Andrew to serve as a consultant to the cast and crew. The actors are getting to use the MTAC offices, uniforms and vehicles, and have been able to go with medics on ride-alongs.

Chuck says he found his calling after an accident on the job left him unable to continue being a paramedic. “After my accident, I was determined to get myself in shape and find a new purpose. I discovered acting and directing, and now I’m combining my experience as an EMT into my new career,” he said. “I think viewers will find the show inspiring, and we’ve been blessed that the Marple Township Ambulance Corps allowed us to use their new facility.”

Whether they’re career or volunteer paramedics/EMTs, we thank our own paramedic angels here in Marple for being ready to respond to our friends and neighbors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

EMS… one mission… one team

Photo courtesy of MTAC

The MTAC offers a subscription program so that you do not suffer any out-of-pocket expenses if you need their emergency services. If you are a contributing member of the MTAC subscription program, then after your insurance carrier has been billed or any appeals have been processed, the remaining balance of your bill is written off.

Because Marple Township Ambulance Corps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, subscriptions are tax deductible. For more information about MTAC, including how to become an EMT or to sign up for the subscription plan, visit www.MarpleEMS.com.