Plymouth Community Ambulance Association (PCAA) provides Emergency Medical Service to a Seventy square mile coverage area consisting of twelve municipalities and approximately 110,000 permanent residents.
The population swells considerably during weekdays due in part to a large corporate and industrial presence, for which thousands more commute to work in our communities. The main district area is also a center for consumer activity with a significant number of commercial and retail venues.
The municipalities serviced begin with “The Heart of Montgomery County” Norristown Borough (Former Montgomery Hospital Paramedic Unit (Station 304) aquired in June of 2000), Bridgeport Borough, Plymouth Township, East Norriton Township, West Norriton Township (Former West Norriton Ambulance Service (Station 321) aquired in April of 2002), and Worcester Township.
In the fall of 2014, Plymouth Community Ambulance Association and Lower Frederick Regional Ambulance Corps (LFRAC) merged. LFRAC serviced the following municipalities in the central Montgomery County region: Lower Frederick Township, Upper Frederick Township, Perkiomen Township, Schwenksville Borough, Upper Salford Township and Limerick Township. The geographical jurisdiction is made up of urban and suburban locals, which are surrounded, filled, and bypassed with major routes, roadways, and limited access highways. A heavy volume of daily transient traffic travels through the coverage area, further increasing the population and service responsibility.
August of 2020; The Board of Supervisors of Bridgeport Borough reached out to Plymouth Ambulance to provide coverage to the residents and visitors or Bridgeport Borough. An agreement was signed and Medic 308 provides Advanced Life Support service to the community of Bridgeport.
Our Service Area
- 70 Square Miles
- 12 Municipalities
- 110,000 Permanent Residents
Timeline
1962
In 1962 Plymouth Township Police Chief Vito Fusco recognized the need to establish a First Aid Service and began to initiate plans for an ambulance service in Plymouth Township. Chief Fusco explored the laws and facts for a non-profit ambulance service and simply put, Chief Fusco would never need a Charter consisting of fifteen names and minimal cash in a bank account of $1,000.00 dollars. Chief Fusco found the signatures needed so then the fourteen charter members reached out to the community and their friends for support so the Ambulance could begin serving to the community.
Chief Fusco set his sights on the money needed and reportedly got an anonymous donation of $1,000.00 dollars so the Bank account could be established. (The former Victory Metals made the donation). With the aforementioned gentlemen they gained support from ten more poeple who formed the signatures required to complete a Charter. These “founding fathers” are listed below:
- Vito Fusco
- James Rambo
- Warren Duncan
- John Motz
- Gene Lightkep
- Mel Sams
- Joseph Carbo
- Adrian Salvi
- Donald Tarbutton
- John Armstrong
- Joseph Piazza
- Ben Germano
- Neil Granese
- Edward Charles
- John Casey
1963
Following the groundwork came the need for a location and to purchase an ambulance. After the signing of the Charter the newly formed Plymouth Community Ambulance Association took residence at 601 W. Germantown Pike. In September of 1963 Plymouth Ambulance purchased their first ambulance. The vehicle was a 1961 Cadillac ambulance built by Superior Coach. With all the right pieces in place and 30 men willing to actively run on the ambulance, November 1, 1963 Plymouth Ambulance opened for service.
1971
In 1971, Plymouth Ambulance expanded their services and requested property on Germantown Pike in Plymouth Valley area. Plymouth Township Council lent financial support, as did many residences of Plymouth Township, so the new facilities could be erected.
1974
In 1974 The PA Department of Health instituted plans for an organized class teaching Basic Life Support skills and then people would be certified by the Health Department and recognized as Emergency Medical Technicians.
1979
Five years late in 1979, The Health Department again seeking to the have the best for the sick and injured, established an Advanced Life Support program knows as Paramedics. Plymouth Ambulance sent twelve of its members to the program giving them the most people sent and successfully completing the program.
1980
In 1980 Plymouth Ambulance equipped the two ambulances they now owned with Advanced Medical Equipment, these items included Heart Monitors, Intravenous Solutions and Medications.
2000
In June of 2000 the Montgomery Hospital Paramedic Unit located on the property of the old Montgomery Hospital at Powell Street and Fornance Street closed. Plymouth Community Ambulance administrators of Montgomery Hospital worked out an acquisition which provided for a smooth transition. PCAA took over operations and equipment from Montgomery Hospital. The “A” Station was located at the old Montgomery Hospital at Powell Street and Fornance Street. The “B” Station was located at the Goodwill Fire House in Bridgeport. A newly formed “Float” crew was also put into place and used Germantown Pike and Whitehall Road as a staging area.
2002
In April of 2002 West Norriton Ambulance closed their doors after 43 years of service to the community. Plymouth Ambulance began to service the West Norriton Township area immediately. Our “A” Station which was located at the Montgomery Hospital campus was relocated to the Humane Fire House on East Main Street and Green Street in Norristown. The “B” Station was relocated to the West Norriton Municpal complex to better serve the area.
2012
In 2012 Plymouth Ambulance completed construction on the new Norristown “A” station at Main Street and Green Street. This four bay facility is the primary response for Norristown Borough and part of Plymouth Township.
2013
In 2013 Plymouth Ambulance “B” Station was relocated to Germantown Pike and Whitehall Road in the fire station.
2014
In the late summer and early fall of 2014 Lower Frederick Regional Ambulance Corps (LFRAC) and Plymouth Community Ambulance Association met and discussed a merger. In the late fall of 2014 the merger was complete and Plymouth Ambulance became the largest and busiest ambulance squad in Montgomery County.
2020
In June of 2020 Plymouth Ambulance “B” Station was relocated to a new facility at 2100 Campus Lane in East Norriton Township.
In July of 2020 Plymouth Community Ambulance Association became the primary EMS provider for Bridgeport Borough.
Present
As of today, some fifty five years later with four stations, Plymouth Ambulance continues the tradition of caring for the sick and injured as the “Founding Fathers” had envisioned in 1962. With 12 Paramedic equipped Advanced Life Support Ambulances and eighty-five Active Volunteers and Paid Staff members we currently respond to more than fifteen thousand EMERGENCIES each year. Plymouth Ambulance has been honored as one of the best ambulances services in Montgomery County since establishing in 1963.