Northwestern Ambulance Corps.
A volunteer operated 501(c)(3) non
profit emergency services organization
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Northwestern Ambulance Corps.
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About us
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Northwestern Ambulance Corps. has been providing continuous emergency medical services since our first call on January 1, 1971. From that day and through our over 35 year history we have always operated as a volunteer run, community organization. In late 1970 founding members Carl and
Joan Hein Sr., Leroy Bogert Sr., Donald Trexler, Kenneth Trexler, John and Ann
Trinkle, Charles Hughes Jr., and Earl Beidler Jr. envisioned a service
that would provide Back in the day, Northwestern's volunteer staff qualified in "first aid training" and some even trained in "advanced first aid". This training was basic when compared to today's emergency medical technician and Paramedic training programs. Patients were assisted in their time of need with a lot of caring and good practical skills but with very little in the way of medical technology. Emergency medical services was in its infancy, but that didn't stop the volunteers at Northwestern from doing whatever was necessary to help save a life or assist a sick neighbor. Humble beginnings led to expansion and
relocation from the trusty barn to then Zettlemoyer's Greenhouse on Rt. 309
during 1973 (today, known as 309 Tire and Auto). Old style ambulances were re (Eleanor Snyder and Barbara Rauch have been members since the beginning and are still active today on the Board of Directors. They are currently compiling a detailed history of the Corps for our 35 year celebration to be held later this year. When this is finished, we will post it here on this web site. Thanks ladies!) In 2005, our board of directors oversees the operation of a complex business much different from the days gone bye.
Northwestern's Ambulances and professional staff are capable of handling the most critical patients with the very latest in medical technology and training. And that is good new for everyone in the communities that we serve. In order to remain effective and up-to-date Northwestern's staff is required by law to successfully complete continuing education on a yearly basis. Northwestern's medical director Dr. William E. Sotack, DO., requires additional hours of continuing education above and beyond the State's requirements, helping to ensure that our staff is top notch. As a Pennsylvania Department of Health licensed ambulance service, we are also required to have certain inspections and we pride ourselves on continuously meeting or exceeding the State's requirements. So yes, you can see that many things are different today then how they were in the past. More training is required, more legal issues to follow, the upkeep of new and expensive equipment and ensuring safe specially designed vehicles. But some things haven't changed. Our values, our community spirit, our desire to help and commitment to you. Our volunteer run organization still does business the same way it has been done for 35 years - in a cooperative and open environment. Board members carefully guide the direction of the service, meeting once a month on the 4th Sunday evening at 5:30pm. The public is always welcome to attend the General Meeting and learn more about how Northwestern Ambulance Corps will continue to change to meet the needs of our growing communities..."because we care".
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emergency medical assistance to the communities in
northwestern Lehigh County and parts of western Berks county. By the fir
placed
with more modern equipment and a new scheduling system was made operational...ok, the scheduling
system was a 4x8 sheet of plywood with volunteer's names on it, but it worked.
During the next 18 years Northwestern Ambulance Corps grew with the community,
responding to thousands of emergency calls, ever improving the services and
helping many people. Training continued to improve and become more challenging. EMT-B was the hallmark level of training and many members of Northwestern's
service obtained that certification. Thankfully the people in the communities
served by Northwestern were generous in their donations, just as they are today,
this is what has kept the Corps healthy and able to expand and improve. This
generosity led to the next and last move which came in 1991. A brand new modern
building was erected behind the old greenhouse - this building is our
headquarters today. 
Today Northwestern Ambulance Corps. provides state-of-the-art
emergency medical services that are equal in capability to those found anywhere
in the country. Our area's small town image and beautiful scenic backgrounds
which represent both county living and strong family values are quietly
augmented by an emergency medical services system that is ultra-modern and very
high-tech. Northwestern's three ambulances, each equipped to be a mobile
emergency room on wheels are ready to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Volunteers and career staff specially trained in advanced life-saving techniques
are on-site every minute of the day. Over $100,000 worth of specialized medical
equipment, lifesaving medicine, heart monitors, breathing systems and more are
immediately available for use in the most critical situations. Our Rescue
Squad is a joint cooperative effort with each of our partner fire companies;
Germansville, New Tripoli, Lynnport and Kempton.
Equipped with the latest in hydraulic tools such as the famous "Jaws of Life"
rescue operations respond around the clock to complicated and severe auto
accidents, farm equipment emergencies and other dangerous situations.
