P.O. Box 142

Bridgeville, PA 15017

 

Phone: 412/ 221.5115

Fax: 412/ 257.8369

Billing: 412/ 264.1446

 

Headquarters Building

178 Hickory Grade Rd

Bridgeville, PA 15017

 

Cecil Township Station

22 Cecil Elementary Drive

Cecil, PA 15321

Bike Response Unit

 

 

 

 

 

Swift and agile, mountain bikes have been proven effective for medical responses in crowded event areas. Teams function in groups of two and function at an Advanced Life Support (ALS) level. Teams are in place at events and are dispatched to emergencies simultaneously with the ambulance. Often, bike units are able to reach a patient within seconds and initiate care prior to the ambulance arriving. 

 

Why Have Medics on Bikes?

 

The Bike Response Unit is relatively new at SouthBridge. The unit was formed in 2008, after investigating ways to reduce response time in an emergency.  The new bicycle team got its first workout during the 2008 Memorial Day parade in Bridgeville. Medics rode in the parade until duty called. They immediately broke formation and responded to a resident who had been injured. Pedaling on two wheels, they were able to reach the victim much faster than if they'd been traveling on four in the crowded streets. The unit has medical personnel using bicycles to respond to emergencies in situations where access is limited and space for larger ambulances is at a premium. The heavy-grade mountain bikes with front suspension are perfect for navigating down stairs, over curbs and through crowds. Currently, each bike team member is certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association as an “EMS Cyclist.”