Eight new ambulances to begin service in Delaware County on Saturday after Crozer Hospital’s closure.

In response to escalating concerns regarding emergency medical services (EMS) in Delaware County, an additional eight ambulances will be operational beginning Saturday morning. This development follows the abrupt closure of the Crozer Health system, which ceased its services on Friday.

Lansdale-based VMSC Emergency Medical Services announced the hiring of 58 new staff members, 42 of whom are former employees of Crozer, to facilitate this expansion into Delaware County, a region significantly impacted by the healthcare provider’s recent withdrawal. The anticipated additions include four ambulances stationed in the City of Chester, with the remaining four dispatched to serve areas including Chester, Springfield, Marcus Hook, and Swarthmore.

The urgency for reliable EMS coverage intensified after Prospect Medical Holdings, the parent company of Crozer Health, declared on April 21 the closure of its remaining two local facilities: Crozer-Chester Medical Center, located in Upland, and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park. The Crozer system had previously offered EMS services at no charge to over a dozen municipalities in the county, handling approximately half of the EMS incidents throughout the region last year. Although an agreement established in bankruptcy court indicated that this service would terminate on the day of the closing, a possibility exists for extension.

In a proactive effort, Chester Mayor Stephen Roots finalized a one-year agreement with VMSC, ensuring the city’s receipt of four ambulances, likely stationed at one of Chester’s existing fire facilities.

Adding to the support for EMS operations, Delaware County officials disclosed that the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation, and Jefferson Health have collectively contributed funding to cover the expenses associated with the four ambulances over the next three months. Delaware County Council Chair Monica Taylor emphasized that local leaders have been tirelessly collaborating to mitigate the fallout from Prospect’s departure, asserting that this funding is vital for maintaining emergency service coverage, potentially saving lives in the process.

While the 911 dispatch system remains managed by Delaware County and is not directly affected by the recent closures, individual municipalities are tasked with organizing emergency vehicles and staffing. It is a requirement that ambulances respond to calls throughout the region, even if the requests come from municipalities that did not contractually fund those services.

Local leaders are exploring a long-term regional partnership for EMS services to ensure sustainable coverage while continuing negotiations. For instance, Upper Darby, one of the largest municipalities in Delaware County, recently entered into a two-year contract worth million with STAT, a Drexel Hill-based company, to provide the necessary EMS services for the township. This arrangement reflects a growing trend among municipalities to secure immediate solutions while considering broader, cooperative strategies for future EMS support.

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