FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER
Steve D'Emilio 1st Ward Commissioner
Mario Oliva 2nd Ward Commissioner
Jane F. Hall 3rd Ward Commissioner
Daniel J. Siegel 4th Ward Commissioner
Jeff Heilmann 5th Ward Commissioner
Larry Holmes 6th Ward Commissioner
James E. McGarrity 7th Ward Commissioner
Changes to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) On July 14, 2014, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Township Manager to enter into an agreement with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for the Township. This change, which is expected to occur in the fall, means that HUP will provide ambulance and emergency medical services, although residents should not notice any change in the quality or level of services they receive. Residents should continue to call 9-1-1 for all medical emergencies. This change relates only to emergency medical services; the fire prevention and firefighting efforts of our Township Fire Companies will not change. Because we are contracting with HUP, the Llanerch and Manoa Fire and EMS Companies, which had provided EMS services for many years, will no longer do so. On behalf of Llanerch and Manoa Fire an EMS Companies, and the Township, we want to thank the many dedicated members and volunteers who have faithfully served our community for more than 60 years. This decision was the result of months of study, and will, we anticipate, provide enhanced services at lower cost to residents. Over the past few months, the Township reached out to local health care entities throughout in an effort to form the alliances necessary to continue to provide excellent care in a cost-efficient and progressive manner. This resulted in the decision
to consolidate our services with HUP, the premier healthcare provider in the region, and an entity that has worked with the Township for years. Manoa Fire Company Ambulance started the first Ambulance Service in Haverford Township in April 1945, and Llanerch Fire Company joined the effort a few years later. These Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances have assisted our residents and guests during their times of greatest need. Additionally, many excellent physicians, nurses, paramedics, EMTs, and other health care professionals have started their careers with experience and training provided by these BLS ambulance services.
equipment expenses, as well as costs for initial training, vehicles, maintenance, medical supplies, fuel, and insurance, have impacted our services as well as other EMS services across the nation. Additionally, the sting of lower insurance returns, and the cost of assisting uninsured, and underinsured patients, has had an effect on our ability to continue services at the level that our neighbors, friends, and families deserve. All of these factors led to this decision.
Please be assured that our efforts are patient-focused, fiscally responsible, and continue to be performed with our collective families and friends in mind. We will We hope to continue to be in the keep you informed as this program forefront of emergency medical develops. care. In 1976, the Township of Haverford employed paramedics Sincerely, and started one of Delaware County's first Advanced Life Larry Gentile, Manager Support (ALS) Units to increase the Haverford Township level of care, reduce response times, Tony Kneafsey, President and save additional lives. Over the last few decades, the volume of calls Manoa Fire Company in our Township has increased Carole Lieblein, President significantly as has the severity and Llanerch Fire Company intensity. All along, our EMS programs have grown, adapted, and met the challenge, while frequently being the first units to incorporate new therapies and patient care technologies into the pre-hospital environment. During this same period, our BLS ambulances saw a decrease in volunteers, leading to the increasing reliance on career staff to insure responses. In addition, the increasing cost of mandatory
Chris Connell, Sr. 8th Ward Commissioner
William F. Wechsler 9th Ward Commissioner
Inside This Issue Contact Information..............................2 Note from Township Manager...............3 Library News.........................................4 Haverford Music Festival.......................5 West Nile Virus .....................................6 Protecting Our Streams.........................8 100 Rain Gardens Update......................9 Insurance Notice .................................10 Code Enforcement ..............................11 Grange Estate News............................12 Skatium News ................................14-15 Haverford Township Day .....................16 Parade Route & Road Closures ............17 Parks & Recreation.........................20-22
Save the Date! Haverford Music Festival September, 6 - pg. 5
Haverford Day September, 27 - pg. 16
Grange Estate Events (Event details on pg. 12)
Open House October, 12 Holiday Weekends start November, 29 Christmas Holiday Party December, 6
Haverford Township • 2325 Darby Road • Havertown, PA • Delaware County • 610-446-1000 • www.haverfordtownship.com