MVEMS Newsletter - April 2025

Spring has officially arrived in the Moshannon Valley, and with it comes growth, energy, and new opportunities to serve our community. At Moshannon Valley EMS, we've hit the ground running, bringing innovative education, impactful outreach, and life saving care to the region we're proud to serve. In this month's newsletter, you'll get a behind the scenes look at the programs shaping tomorrows EMS providers, learn what's ahead in May, and see just how many lives are touched by the work our team does everyday. From emergency responses, to trainings, to school presentations, your local EMS professionals are out there every single day giving 100%, and working to be 1% better everyday. 

Meet our Members Monday Series

If you follow us on Facebook, you have seen our new member spotlight series. This series is designed to allow you the chance to get to know our providers. These are your friends, neighbors, family, and most importantly, the crew members that show up when you dial 911 for an ambulance. Beginning at the start of April, we have brought you familiar faces with EMT William Woolworth, EMT Theresea Blazosky, Paramedic Wes Cartwright, and most recently Paramedic Theresa Root. Be sure to continue to follow along with us as we bring a new member to the spotlight every Monday. 

EMS Week 2025 - We Care. For Everyone. 

May 18th-24th marks National EMS week, a time to recognize the brave, skilled, and compassionate individuals who answer the call. This years theme, "We Care. For Everyone", is a perfect reflection on the mission of Moshannon Valley EMS. From remote back country to busy towns, our mission is clear: to provide compassionate, high-quality care to every person, every time, no matter the call. Be sure to follow along to see some special events we have coming up to help celebrate. 

Deadly Decisions Program: A life changing lesson to be held at West Branch Area School District

Our Office of Education, in conjunction with Morris Township VFC as well as many other emergency agencies are preparing to host the first "Deadly Decisions" program at West Branch Area School District in May. This program is designed to mirror the previously popular "Every 15 Minutes" program, and is designed to allow a simulation of a distracted/DUI vehicle crash around the time of prom and graduation. In the simulation, student actors portaged the victims of a severe car accident, complete with emergency response from Fire, EMS, and police. The scene culminated in a simulated fatality will involve the Clearfield County Coroners officer, as well as parent actors. By bringing this immersive experience to students, the program seeks to foster responsible decision-making and promote safety on the roads. Be sure to follow along to learn more in next month's edition!

Welcome our New Staff Members

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest team members! These individuals bring fresh energy, unique skills, and a shared commitment to serving our community with compassion and professionalism. In April, MVEMS hired 5 new employees, split evenly between new providers, seasoned EMS professionals, and instructors with extensive knowledge in public safety, we are sure they will help us progress in the direction of growth. 

Storm Rolls Through Philipsburg

This weeks severe storms across the region were a stark reminder of the dangers that come this time of the year. Powerful winds toppled trees and downed power lines, leaving thousands throughout the Moshannon Valley without power. In Centre County along, over 40,000 customers lost power as winds exceeding 80 mph swept through the area. As cleanup continues, we urge residents to stay alert. Avoid downed wires, report hazards, and never attempt to clear debris entangled with power lines. Keep emergency kits stocked, monitor weather alerts, and check on neighbors. Preparedness and caution can make all the difference when spring storms strike. 

MVEMS Administration Begins Talks of Special Operations Needs

Over the last month, our administration has discussed the need for specialty EMS resources within our 800+ square mile coverage area of Moshannon Valley and is looking into the options to advance our service to align with the growing needs of our area. Our service has multiple staff members who have national certifications and years of experience in special operations such as Search and Rescue, Fire Scene Rehab, Dive and Water Rescue, and Technical Rescue, and recently, we have brought on new instructors with the ability to teach some of these very specific, but vital, skills. Our team is dedicated to continuing this discussion and provide some of these necessary services to our area.  This month, our administrative staff have attended classes that have to do with developing large scale exercise trainings, with hopes of bringing some of these drills to our area, and are attending other upcoming training on managing incidents such as lost persons and wilderness medicine. We look forward to seeing how this program progresses. 

Thank you for your continued support of our service, and we hope you continue to follow along to keep up to date with our community relations and service progression!

^{05/01/2025 - Tyler J. Thomas, Director of Education and Outreach - MVEMS}