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The History of Fame EMS
Fame Fire Company was one of the original fire
companies formed in the early 1850's in the borough of Lewistown.
FAME Fire Company with Henderson Fire Company covered Lewistown
Borough and the surrounding communities. In 1923, Fame Fire Company
first started transporting patients in a donated hearse. The Fame
Fire Company Ambulance Division Incorporation was officially formed
in 1928 to aid in the treatment and transport of sick and injured
people to Lewistown Hospital. At this
time they purchased their first ambulance which was a 1928 Willys
Night. FAME's second ambulance was a 1929 Studebaker.
Fame Fire Company Ambulance Division was a
volunteer organization from 1928 until 1988 when the first paid
EMT's were hired to supplement the volunteer staff.
In 1989 Lewistown Hospital created what is now
know as Medic 29. Medic 29 was the first ALS service in the area
and provided paramedics on intercept units to supplement BLS units
of Fame Fire Company and surrounding BLS ambulance companies in
Mifflin and Juniata County.
On September 23, 1992 Fame Fire Company
Ambulance Division Incorporated was reincorporated to become Fame
Emergency Medical Services Incorporated and acted as a separate
entity from the fire company. Fame EMS had two ambulances and was
staffed by 4 paid EMT's supported by volunteers. They responded to
approximately 2000 calls per year and covered Lewistown Borough,
Juniata Terrace, and portions of Granville and Derry Township.
During 1992 Fame EMS also converted from self dispatch to being
dispatched by Mifflin County Communications.
In January of 1994, Fame EMS moved out of the
fire station and into it's new and current building at 701 Valley
Street. After moving, Fame EMS had a fleet of 3 ambulances and 5
paid EMT's supported by volunteers and responded to approximately
3100 calls. During 1994 Fame EMS was also licensed by Sevens
Mountains Regional Council to provide advanced life support. On
November 21, 1994 Fame EMS responded to it's first ALS call.
In 1996, due to a growing need to transport
patients efficiently from the hospital to their homes and to doctors
appointments, Fame EMS increased services to include wheelchair van
transports.
In August 1999, Fame EMS expanded it's BLS
coverage area to cover Yeagertown, Burnham, Decatur Township, and
all of Derry Township.
In 2000, Fame EMS expanded it's ALS coverage
to Yeagertown, Burnham, Decatur Township, and parts of Derry
Township not previously covered. Fame EMS also put into service the
first Rehabilitation Unit of it's kind in the county. The
Rehabilitation Unit purpose is to aid local fire services with
medical monitoring and rehabilitation services to firefighters
during fire incidents. The Rehabilitation Unit is also equipped to
aid in police incidents and search and rescue.
In 2003, construction was completed on a
building expansion. The addition includes three additional vehicle
bays and a state of the art training room.
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