The Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association received a new ambulance recently.

Ambulance 665, a 2018 Dodge 4500, is the association’s first 4-wheel drive ambulance with liquid spring suspension.

The newest feature for members is the Stryker Power-LOAD system. This system makes loading and unloading patients easier without the need for heavy lifting into the vehicle. With this new addition, Mahoning Valley now has three ambulances along with one UTV which they use for rehab and brush fires. The ambulance is expected to be in service by mid-February.

PL Custom Emergency Vehicles, located in New Jersey, manufactured the ambulance to the specs of members. The vehicle was purchased in Montoursville from Phase 2 Ambulance and Rescue Sales & Service, a certified dealer of PL Custom.

Led by Director Matt Ruch, the association has 24 members with 16 paid members and eight volunteers.

The crew covers Mahoning, East Penn and Weatherly.

During 2018, the members responded to approximately 800 calls. So far this year, they responded to over 100 calls.

Mahoning Valley also responds with its fire rehab unit to area fires. The rehab unit provides firefighters and other emergency personnel with food, drinks and an area for warmth. They also provide immediate medical attention when needed.

Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association has added a junior program, free to children ages 14-17 years who want to go into emergency medical services or the medical field.

Those who join are given shifts and a mentor who they will be assisting on calls.

The association also helps juniors with first aid and CPR classes. If a junior decides to become an Emergency Medical Technician, they may start their training.

At age 16, a volunteer can begin taking basic EMT classes then later taking advanced classes as they get older. If a member stays active and passes examinations, the association will pay the expenses for them to obtain their certification when they turn 18. The average cost to become an EMT ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 depending on credentials taken and examinations.

The Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association is always looking for volunteers and donations as they can be very helpful for new equipment purchases.