About Us, Brownsville Ambulance Service: Past, Present, Future
Brownsville Ambulance serves communities in both Fayette and Washington Counties. Brownsville Borough, Brownsville Township, Newell, Jefferson Township and Fayette City are in Fayette County. It serves West Brownsville Borough, California, Coal Center, Centerville, Richeyville, Low Hill, Malden, Denbo/Vesta Six, Roscoe, East Bethlehem Township, Vesta Seven, Clarksville, Denbo Heights, and Fredericktown in Washington County. It is the official ambulance service for California University of Pennsylvania and California Area School District. The annual call volume grew to over 3,300 calls in 2005.
The Brownsville and California Stations are both staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service maintains local dispatching to coordinate with the two (2) County 9-1-1 centers. Residents can call 724-785-2300 or 911 for Emergency calls. Business calls can be taken at 724-785-6558.
Brownsville Ambulance Service (BASI) has ALS (Advanced Life Support) equipment, medications, and intravenous therapy equipment. Cardiac monitors and defibrillators are on every ambulance unit. In 2006 we replaced three of our ambulances with new vehicles and enhanced our cardiac monitoring equipment.
Paramedics administer medications, start IV's on patients and can monitor cardiac activity. Brownsville Ambulance added all new 12 lead EKG monitors in the fall of 2006 and more again in the winter of 2008 . This equipment adds additional diagnostic tools that can aid treatment of cardiac symptoms. EMT's are skilled in areas of BLS (Basic Life Support). EMT's are trained in splinting, wound control, emergency child birth, bandaging and patient packaging for transport.
The service maintains local medical command primarly at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Medical Command, when needed, is direct communications with an emergency physician to assist the paramedic with patient care.
Currently BASI is a preferred provider with several local health insurance companies including UPMC Health Plan, and Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. These provider agreements are possible through the various healthcare networks in which BASI is a member. BASI maintains itself as a participating provider with Medicare, The Department of Public Assistance, and PDA waiver program.
Brownsville Ambulance Service conducts an annual subscription program to assist with the operational budget, capitol improvements and upgrade of equipment. The service's subscription drive usually is held in July and January. Subscriptions are available year round, and last for one year. The subscription of $ .00 covers the entire household as well as visitors to the residence. New to our subscription offer we have added a single person subscription. This option has benefited many Seniors. The current cost of a single person subscription is $ .00. The purchase of a subscription assures complete assignment of third party payments.
BASI is affiliated with all local flight services and provides service to all local hospitals.
Public support of the local ambulance service is greatly appreciated due to the rising cost of equipment and operational expenses. The decline of Medicare and commercial reimbursement make it necessary to rely on support from the community. In addition, there are no tax dollars alloted to local ambulance services. The operational budget for the 2006 fiscal year was aprox. $700,000.00.
The Emergency Medical Service unit (Ambulance) is normally the first unit to arrive on scene of local emergency calls. It remains the first line of help that remains ready to the residents of most local communities around the clock each and every day of the year.
BASI is an approved training site for EMS continuing education. It is able to host EMT, CPR, and First Aid classes. It also serves as the medical direction for the AED program at the Newell Volunteer Fire Company. To inquire about available classes, check our calendar on the EDUCATION link of this website or call our business office anytime.
Brownsville Ambulance Service Inc. has been a proud member of the community since 1976. We strive daily to provide the best service to our patients and their families. Comments and suggestions from the community are welcome.