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By Paul Chasko

It's safe to say that heart attack victims living in Union Township will have a better chance of survival due to recent innovative improvements in Rapid Emergency Response.

Every year, more than 250,000 individuals experience the most serious type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart called a STEMI. Without getting into medical terms, to prevent death, it's critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible. JHAAA (Jefferson Hills Area Ambulance Association) has recently received the Lifeline EMS Gold Recognition Award for performance over a two-year period in bringing prehospital emergency care to serious heart attack victims.

There is a communication system in place that alerts the receiving hospital staff of the condition of the incoming patient so they may have an emergency cardiac team in place and waiting. In-transport-treatment, as well as a 12 lead ECG, is given, with the data being received by the hospital before the patient arrives. In these situations minutes are critical.

Goals are established for SEMI identification, prehospital treatment and transport. EMS responders are graded against these goals. JHAAA is one of 447 EMS agencies in the entire US and one of 62 EMS agencies in Pennsylvania to receive this award.

What's been done to cut down the time required for JHAAA ambulances with garages in West Mifflin to reach patients in Union Township? Realizing the urgency of rapid response, Union Township has expanded their municipal building garage, at significant cost, to house a JHAAA ambulance and crew more centrally located in Union Township. The facility will house an ambulance and emergency responder crew 24/7. Robert Gibson, RN, NREMT-P and assistant chief of JHAAA, has already measured the improvement in response time throughout Union Township and has reported that it is significant.

So, Union Township will now be housing an elite team of emergency medical responders nearly centrally located in the township 24/7, will have two volunteer fire departments on call and will soon have 24/7 police coverage.

The new quarters for JHAAA in the municipal building garage will be open to the public on Saturday June 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. JHAAA and the Union Township Board of Supervisors will host the open house.

Ambulance: The new quarters for JHAAA in the municipal building garage will house an ambulance and crew and will be open to the public on Saturday June 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. JHAAA and the Union Township Board of Supervisors will host the open house.

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