When duty calls, they're among the first responders to arrive on scene in the Palmerton area.

In turn, it should only be second nature for residents to want to support the Palmerton Community Ambulance Association.Palmerton area residents can do just that when they fill out and return their annual subscription fund drive to the organization.The 2013-14 subscription was sent out last month, said Jeanie Solarcyzk, president of the PCAA, who added it runs from this month through October 2014.Solarcyzk said the group will utilize funds from this year's subscription to purchase a 2013 transit van, which is expected to arrive later this month.She added, "We purchased a van, and paid off the (ambulance) building through last year's subscription."Solarcyzk said residents who have not yet received their subscription forms in the mail can call (610)-826-7600.The PCAA is a nonprofit organization that offers Basic Life Support ambulance that provides both emergency and non-emergency treatment and transport, and has a crew on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its emergency staff consists of EMTs and First Responders. It also offers a wheelchair/stretcher service to clinics, doctors' offices, dialysis center, out patient procedures at acute care hospitals, and skilled and assisted nursing facilities performed by three wheelchair vans.The ambulance association serves residents in the coverage area, which includes Palmerton, Lower Towamensing Township, and Bowmanstown. It also covers parts of East Penn Township - from Route 895 to Smith Lane; Towamensing Township - from Forest Inn Road onto Route 209 from Station Street at Shepard's Place to Koch Road and everywhere in between, and beginning in the section of Kunkletown.Formed in 1945 by the Palmerton Fire Company, the group moved into its current site in 1972. It then underwent renovations in 1998.