On Friday, May 31st, 2013 EMS Chief Sly presented the West Brandywine Township Police Department with two fully equipped medical bags to be carried by the on duty police officers in their patrol cruisers.

In a cooperative effort by Westwood EMS, West Brandywine Police, the East Brandywine Fire Company Quick Response Unit, and the West Grove Fire Company Ambulance Division this project came to fruition.

West Brandywine Township Police currently have four officers who are trained as Pennsylvania Department of Health Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics. While the Township is serviced by a 24/7 staffed ambulance, there are certainly times in which the police arrive on the scene prior to the ambulance simply due to logistics.

West Brandywine Police Officer Vattilana recognized that there were no medical kits available for the officers to begin care prior to the arrival of the ambulance and approached EMS Chief Sly with a possible solution. Officer Vattilana is also a volunteer Fire Captain and EMT with the West Grove Fire Company, which was willing to donate a bag for usage by the police. Westwood EMS offered to fully equip and stock the bag with all of the necessary medical supplies including oxygen.

The East Brandywine Fire Company, who provides a Quick Response Medical service to the Township, stepped up to provide a second bag for another patrol car. Westwood EMS again filled this bag with oxygen and medical supplies.

This cooperative effort between four emergency services agencies will allow the citizens of West Brandywine Township to receive the highest possible level of care by providing the necessary tools and equipment to our responders.

We would like to thank West Brandywine Police, East Brandywine Fire Company, and the West Grove Fire Company Ambulance Division for their efforts in this project.