The History of Second Alarmers

The History of Second Alarmer’s

During a hot July in 1938, fire struck the Moyer Lumber Yard at Old York and Davisville Roads in Willow Grove. Hot, tired firemen were in need of refreshments; however, the Second Alarmers of Philadelphia were unable to respond to the call. Several members of the Willow Grove Fire Company #1 decided that since the Second Alarmers of Philadelphia were unable to assist them, they would start their own organization, patterned after the Philadelphia group. This group, however, would be able to respond to wherever they were called. On February 22, 1938, a meeting was held to form this organization. As stated in the minutes of that meeting, "The purpose...was to form an association to serve coffee, lime water, seltzer, etc. to fireman and police and rescue workers." On a motion by Walter Blair the name of this association would be the Second Alarmer’s Association of Montgomery County, Willow Grove, PA. The first officers of the organization were: John Volz, President; Charles Krier, Vice President; Smedley Dutton, Secretary; Walter Blair, Treasurer and George Volz served as the first Chief.

Our First Canteen (1938-1947)

The first piece of equipment was a 1928 Buick truck that was purchased for $50, with a down payment of $25. The members made all repairs and modifications. If they were unable to do a certain thing, they would find someone who could, and make them a member (of course, donating their skills). By the time they were done they had 30 members. On April 5, 1938, the Second Alarmer’s responded to its first call. We assisted the McKinley, Abington, Pioneer and Independent fire companies at a fire on Washington Lane in Abington Township. With the limited equipment at that time, they served over 150 cups of coffee and 200 cups of lime water. Several months later, the association was called to a disastrous oil fire at the Cities Service refinery in Linden, New Jersey. Supplies of lime water, coffee and first aid equipment were carried a distance of 77 miles to aid over 1,500 firemen and rescue workers battling the blaze. Our first annual report showed that we answered 35 calls, served 95 companies with 396 gallons of coffee, 225 of lime water, traveled a distance of 736 miles and spending 98 hours and 20 minutes in service. In 1939, we were able to procure a Dodge truck that was remodeled to become our first ambulance. With the first aid skills our men had learned they were able to help over 200 patients that were injured in a spectacular explosion that rocked the R.M. Hollingsworth plant in Camden, New Jersey on July 30, 1940. With our coffee wagon and ambulance we provided continuous service for over 35 hours.

Because of age and hard to get parts, we needed to replace the coffe truck. Once again, the generosity of the fire companies and civic minded individuals helped us purchase a new coffee wagon in 1947.

We again, launched a fund drive to help purchase a new vehicle to replace our aging ambulance. The new unit, known as the Disaster Unit (DA) was put into service in June of 1950. This bus like vehicle was completely equipped with every possible type of medical equipment needed. It carried; blood plasma, oxygen, asbestos suites, rescue blankets, hand tools, inhalators and resuscitators, and acetylene cutting equipment.

It accommodated six stretcher patients and four ambulatory patients, was completely heated and air conditioned, provided running hot and cold water, contained a public address system and five radio frequencies, as well as a 110 volt automatic generator. The DA was so modern, unusual and so well equipped that it was considered to be 10 years ahead of other rescue squads. It was also considered by fire, police and Civil Defense officials of that time to be one of the finest pieces of equipment in the United States. The devastating Delaware River flood in August 1955 is an illustration of the Second Alarmers' attitude and ability. Responding instantly to the first call early Thursday evening, August 18, the squad remained on uninterrupted duty through Sunday, August 21. Both the DA and the canteen covered the area from above Philadelphia to north of Reigelsville, Bucks County.

Prior to the early 1950's Abington Memorial Hospital had operated a localized ambulance service. When they discontinued it, the Abington Township Police began localized service using police officers trained in basic first aid. During the early 1950's, we too began local ambulance service to area hospitals in the support of the police using a unit donated by the Willow Grove Veterans of Foreign Wars. At first, we only operated the one ambulance, but due to the increasing number of calls, more ambulances had to be added. In 1968, the Disaster Unit was taken out of service and a new power and light truck was added to the fleet. This truck contained a large tower that had the ability to light up an area the size of a football field. It also contained many rescue tools and an air cascade system which was used to fill firefighters air bottles. On the night of August 17, 1969, Hurricane Camille swept across the gulf coast of Mississippi, leaving over 250 dead and the area completely devastated. Again, the Second Alarmer’s answered the call. With the assistance of several senators, congressman and the governor's office, the red tape was cut and they were on their way. The canteen, loaded with non-perishable foods, was put on a C-024 Air Force transport plane, and the Light Truck on a C-130 transport, and were on their way to Mississippi. For the next 10 days, 33 members volunteered their time pulling down trees, putting up wires, hooking up electricity and plumbing, burying dead animals, fighting fires and looking for bodies. They spent time in Gulfport, Biloxi, Pass Christian, Delisle and Bay St. Louis. They were responsible for the largest food distribution center in that area, starting with the 5 tons of food, clothing and medical supplies that they brought with them. Another 15 tons of supplies, which were collected and packed by the members who had stayed behind, were shipped down later. Numerous cases of typhoid were reported. But due to the lack of refrigeration, the vaccine was rapidly turning bad until we arrived with our Power and Light Truck and our generators. It was a time that neither the people of Mississippi or the Second Alarmer’s will ever forget.

Beginning in late 1973 several of our members participated in an 81 hour Emergency Medical Technician course. The first courses were held at Abington Memorial Hospital and the Montgomery County Community College. But since the schools were limited, only one or two members from each organization were permitted to attend, not many members became EMT's.

As time went on, additional locations were added and more courses were held. By 1977, more members were certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as EMT's than by the Red Cross, which had been the standard of training for our first 35 years of operation. In the fall of 1975, Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services sponsored a Paramedic course at Abington Hospital. With the support from hospital administrators and the medical staff, classes got under way for 30 students. Members of the Horsham Fire Company, Community Ambulance of Ambler, Emergency Care Unit of Abington and Second Alarmer’s attended.

Over the years we have increased our number of vehicles. In 1975 we housed our light rescue truck, which was equipped with the Hurst "Jaws of Life". It was also equipped with floodlights to illuminate an accident scene.

By 1978, the Abington Police phased out its emergency medical service. In conjunction with the Emergency Care Unit of Abington, we provided EMS to any local hospital. Between 1979 and 1981, the Second Alarmer’s served the entire township of Abington from their headquarters in Willow Grove and the Rockledge Fire Company station under the terms of a three year contract. In 1982, we entered into a new phase of service to Abington Township under a 10-year contract. Abington Township acquired the old McKinley Fire Company firehouse at 876 Jenkintown Rd and began renovations for our use. In order to provide for 24-hour EMS, rent-free apartments were established in the building to several members, but in return they were on call from 11pm to 7am every night. This system provided us with 18 years of continuous overnight service.

In the mid 1980’s we contracted with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to provide primary ambulance and rescue service on the turnpike between the Fort Washington, Willow Grove, and Philadelphia Interchanges. 12.2 miles of heavily traveled limited access highway.

In 1994, we were again recognized for our dedication and service to the community. We were designated the Ambulance Service of the Year by both the Montgomery County Regional EMS office and The Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council.

In 1997, we established a unique relationship with Temple University in Philadelphia. An academic partnership was formed to develop pre-hospital research. This was the first, purely academic, partnership of its type in the nation. Since inception, papers have been published and presented at conferences including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / National Association of Emergency Medical Physicians EMS Agenda for the Future Conference in May of 1998.

In 1998, recognizing the benefit of police departments providing automated defibrillation services to patients in cardiac arrest, we initiated a program to help provide the local police departments with AED (automatic external defibrillator) units for use by officers on patrol. With the assistance of a state grant we purchased several AED units and gave 2 each to Abington and Upper Moreland Township Police Departments.

Continuing along with the American Heart Association’s recommendations, we have begun the conversion of our basic 3-lead cardiac monitors to state of the art 12-lead monitors. These devices will bring the same hospital diagnostic quality EKG’s directly to the patient’s bed side, at home, and significantly reduce their treatment time once in the hospital.

In early 1999, after the Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro decided that they could no longer afford to provide their ambulance service to the borough, they, along with the Borough Council approached the Second Alarmers to provide Emergency Medical Services to the residents and visitors of Hatboro Borough. For years we had provided back up coverage and on Saturday, February 13, 1999 the Second Alarmers began operations in the Borough, as it’s primary provider. All totaled this addition brought our coverage area to approximately 38.1 square miles plus the Turnpike.

Whitpain Township: After an 18 month long process of evaluation of the EMS industry and five different local Organizations, Township Supervisors unanimously voted to award Second Alarmers with the contract to be the primary EMS provider for Whitpain Township starting January 2, 2007. This brought the Second Alarmers primary dispatch territory to over 38.9 sq miles not including the first due Pennsylvania Turnpike area that fall inside/outside the basic footprint.

Critical Care Transport Team: Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad started providing a Critical Care Transport Team to Holy Redeemer Hospital's Cath Lab Department on March 16, 2007. This dedicated ambulance will be present at Holy Redeemer Hospital Monday through Friday while Cardiac Catheterization procedures are performed. Members of the Critical Care Transport Crew are assigned to the Emergency Department. This learning experience is an opportunity for members to utilize current skills and gain new ones as part of the Emergency Department Team. They get to experience a different perspective in a healthcare setting that is fast paced and diverse by helping to treat a variety of patients from minor injuries to the critically ill. These team members will work closely with Emergency Department physicians and nursing staff in performing and assisting in various treatments and procedures which directly impact patient outcomes.