Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance

We are thrilled to announce that we have been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association with a 2024 Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold - Heart Attack Honor Roll achievement award for our commitment to providing research-based, high-quality heart attack and stroke care. This prestigious recognition underscores our dedication to ensuring heart attack and stroke patients have access to the best practices and life-saving care. Learn more about our achievement and what it means for our community at http://bit.ly/TU8daL.

Are you interested in a career with a program that does more than the norm? Accepting applications for full time EMT's and Paramedics for our next onboarding class. Inquire via email [email protected] - various scheduling options with robust benefits and perks are available.
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Is anyone in the Exeter Area missing a cat? This little guy is wandering around our West station and meowing like he’s lost. If your missing your pet give us a call 570-654-1202

Our longtime member, and all around good guy and community helper, Bob Price has had some unfortunate health issues recently. We’re asking all of our followers and friends to support Bob at this upcoming benefit in his honor. You know he’d do it for you.

Weather extremes are always a concern of ours and the soaring temperatures are particularly troublesome for our firefighters. GPRA members provide standby coverage for all fire agencies in our district, deploying our first in equipment in a ready state, so we’re ready to jump in to action when needed

📸 by GPRA EMT-P D. Williams

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The GPRA gives back to the communities we serve in so many ways. Perhaps the most visible way is the standby special event coverage that we provide for hundreds of community events throughout our district. We proud to support these events that make our communities so special. This past Monday evening, GPRA units were at the Little League District 16/ 31 Championship games at the Township Baseball Jenkins Township field

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Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

As always, multiple GPRA members are on duty this holiday, providing coverage throughout the district. Currently, GPRA members are providing standby coverage at the annual Battle of Wyoming commemoration ceremony

📸 by GPRA Capt. M. May
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Today was Family Day at the GPRA. Members and their loved ones gathered at HQ to share dinner from our local favorites - Valenti's Restaurant and Sabatelle's Market, topped off with Handel's Homemade Ice Cream - Plains, PA for dessert! A great evening to share our camaraderie, friendship and love for the EMS profession

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It’s a 10/10

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Congratulations Warriors! WA class of 2024 held their commencement exercises this evening at Jake Sobeski Stadium, and GPRA units were on hand to ensure the safety of the spirited crowd. Community first!

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The GPRA sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Richard Turner. Mr. Turner was a long time public servant in his hometown of Exeter Borough, having served as an elected official, a member of the Exeter Fire Company, and a founding member of the Exeter Community Ambulance Association. Mr. Turner was instrumental in helping to facilitate the merger of Exeter Ambulance in to the GPRA and, as such, he’s played an instrumental role in our agency’s history. We salute him for his many years of selfless service to our communities and send our heartfelt prayers and support to his family. Mr Turner is pictured in the white shirt in the center of this vintage photo kept in the GPRA’s archives

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The GPRA deploys two different style of ambulance units - “Type 1” truck-based chassis and “Type 3” van-based chassis. Here’s the newest Type 1 in the fleet, and the only Chevrolet we own, “A-10.”

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It was a special evening for the GPRA as we honored two of our special members for an outstanding outcome. At the Geisinger Annual EMS Appreciation Night at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders PNC Field, GPRA members - Paramedic Captain E. Thomas and EMT Mike Roper were recognized for the extraordinary care provided to Wyoming Area Regional Police Chief Mike Turner, who was seriously injured in a major, on duty motor vehicle accident. Chief Turner has made a miraculous recovery, through his hard work and dedication in his rehab, and we were thrilled that he joined us at last night’s celebration. We couldn’t be prouder of our team and the special work they do everyday!

Pictured, L-R, GPRA Member D. Fernandes, Chief Szafran, EMT N. Ostrowski, Captain Thomas, EMT M Roper, Deputy Chief M. Ankenbrand, Vice President M. Lombardo and Chief Turner

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The 73rd annual WB Chapter of Unico National charity football game took place this evening at Jake Sobeski Stadium and we were proud to provide standby coverage for this worthy cause. UNICO is the largest Italian American service organization in the country, providing support to various charitable causes throughout our area. Congratulations on a great event!

📸 by GPRA EMT J. Corcoran
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City of Pittston officials have helped facilitate for us the incredible opportunity of a new headquarters station. As our organization continues to evolve and meet the challenges of a modern EMS system, our current headquarters (completed in 1976 when we still operated the Cadillac/ hearse style ambulance units) simply has become obsolete. Plans for the new station continue to be tweaked, but one thing is for certain- there will be space! Here’s a sneak preview of the apparatus area, which will be just a tad bit bigger than what we have now!

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We are continuing to work with City of Pittston officials on plans for our new Headquarters station to be constructed in South Pittston on the “Triangle” site. This photo gives you a sense as to why new quarters are so important. Let’s just say things are a bit tight at our current facilities. Pictured here is A-10 squeezing in (barely) in one of the bays at our West Station located in Exeter Borough

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Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

***TODAY 1pm-5pm***

Looks like mother nature will get this rain out of her system by this afternoon. For anyone stopping by we will be using the garage to the rear of Headquarters.

Can’t make it today? No problem! Reach out to us via the contact information below and we will set up a date and time that works with your schedule.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the year 2022, 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in traffic crashes. 756 of those fatalities were children under the age of 14. 266 of those children were unrestrained in the vehicle.

Here at the GPRA we have several members that are Certified Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST). This group of providers is committed to making sure that our youngest and most vulnerable citizens ride in any type of vehicle, safely.

Please stop by our FREE carseat event, and allow our CPSTs to check your current installation or teach you how to properly install your children or future child’s safety seats.

In addition to responding to nearly 8 thousand annual emergency calls throughout our district, the GPRA provides special event standby services for dozens of popular community events. We provide these services without compromising our availability for emergency calls. Yesterday, multiple units provided coverage for the Jenkins Township / Yatesville Borough Crime Watch Walk / Run
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Keeping our kids safe! Bringing awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving, GPRA units participated in the annual mock crash at the Pittston Area High School. The events gives students a graphic view of the consequences of drinking and driving.

Other mutual aid units participating included:
City of Pittston Police Department
City of Pittston Bureau of Fire
Jenkins Township Fire Dept.
Pittston Township Fire Department
Geisinger Medical Center - Life Flight

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Collegiality among the emergency services…it doesn’t get any better. GPRA EMT-P R. Brusowankin saying hello to members of the City of Pittston Police Department Bike Unit

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Last week the GPRA was invited to participate at the Amazon AVP8’s Health Fair for their staff. There were representatives on site providing information on mental health resources, mental health awareness, a nutritionist and members of the GPRA providing blood pressure and blood glucose screenings. Additional information was made available how to access medical care (primary care physician’s, specialists, etc.) for staff who were in need of this type or care. We are grateful for this opportunity to get into the community. Pictured are Chief Szafran and EMT Corcoran.
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With the week winding down, the GPRA wanted to recognize our partners in public safety at theLuzerne County Department of Emergency Services - 911 Communications for all of their talents and hard work each and every day. All of the staff deserve recognition, not just on this special week, but every day in their role as the first contact in times of need. We appreciate each and every one of our dispatchers, call takers, supervisors, support services, and administration.

When calling 911, remember:

- While it may seem like they are asking you a lot of questions, it is only for your benefit. Don't worry; as they are taking your information, many times help is already being dispatched to your location. Be patient; although admittedly it may be difficult.
- Dispatchers may offer to give you instructions over the phone; this is known as pre-arrival instructions via their Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) training. This can range from how to control bleeding, how to perform Hands-Only CPR, or how to help a choking victim.
- Many of us utilize cell phones to call 911; be specific about your location. This should include the address and town you are located in. If you are at a business or a common location (i.e., park, athletic field, etc.), provide that name even if you do not know the address.

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Spring suds washing off a long winter’s grime - GPRA crews keeping the fleet in top shape!

📸 by GPRA EMT M. Roper
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The GPRA offers our sincere condolences to our colleagues at Pennsylvania Ambulance. We stand ready to support the folks at Penn in any way possible as they navigate through this tragedy

It is with extremely heavy heart that we share the passing of Paramedic Supervisor Gus Catalano.

Gus was a member of the Pennsylvania Ambulance team for 7 years, and had been involved in emergency services for over 15 years. His life long dream was to work in emergency services and upon fulfilling that dream, he strived in a supervisory role to motivate, care for and love ALL of his coworkers. Gus was able to light up a room and connect instantly with patients and coworkers alike.

Gus had a laugh that was infectious, his positive, boisterous attitude was able to change the course of anyone’s day, and his hugs were the biggest and best around. He was truly able to see the good in everyone and everything.

Gus had the dedication, attitude and spirit that touched all he knew. We will always and forever cherish the memories and impact that Gus had here at Pennsylvania Ambulance.

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

March 15, 1993 is a day of remembrance and reverence in our organization’s history. On that date, we lost our beloved Captain, John Lombardo. Operating as a Pittston City firefighter, John and West Pittston firefighter Leonard Insalaco lost their lives battling a commercial structure fire in downtown Pittston. John was one of our most dedicated members and always sought to advance our service. We wish he was here with us today to see the advancements made by his beloved organization. We know that he would be so proud of our endeavors and we think of him often. His initials and a rose are on every GPRA unit to this day in memory of his sacrifice. Lest We Forget.
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A-🎱

📸 by GPRA EMT-P R. Brusowankin
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The GPRA does “Read Across America Day” - celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday by promoting the joy of reading. Members stopped by the Wyoming Area School District Primary Center on Tenth Street earlier this week

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GPRA at yesterday’s Pittston City St. Patrick's Parade!

📸 by GPRA member Bob Price

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