Burholme Emergency Medical Services marks 78 years [slideshow]

We often don’t notice the difference when an ambulance passes us on Oxford or Central Avenue, yet there is a difference.

Since 1933, the Burholme Emergency Medical Services has served the communities of Northeast Philadelphia. Founded by “Doc” Beaumont to service Burholme Park and the farmland of Northeast Philadelphia as the first EMS service in Philadelphia, it has grown as the Northeast has grown.

Located at 830 Bleigh Ave., the service currently fields three mobile intensive care units.? Managing Director Timothy Hinchcliff recently announced the 78th annual fund drive for the service. Local residents should be receiving mailers from the service.

“The fund drive is a critical part of our annual funding,” Hinchliff said. “Without the support of our subscribers we would not be able to maintain the level of care the community has been provided with over the last 78 years.”

BEMS provides training for community members and participates in community events.

“The support of subscribers makes it possible to continue these programs and maintain a non municipal community based EMS service.” Hinchcliff said.

The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, responding to emergency calls, and also provides care in non-emergency situations and transport of wheel chair or stretcher patients for doctor’s office or hospital visits.

Burholme Emergency Medical Services maintains a full-time staff of 12 and part-time staff of 14. BEMS works in close partnership with Rhawnhurst- Bustlelton Ambulance and Northeast Community Ambulance, handling more than 8000 residential calls for service per year. BEMS receives funding from grants and  insurance reimbursements, and depends on residential support during the subscriber fund drive to maintain the quality of service the Northeast community has come to expect.

G.E. Reutter resides in the Fox Chase. You can visit him at his website. You can read his Fox Chase articles for NEast Philly here.