Community supporter Jay Gilbert recently joined Cetronia Ambulance Corps CEO Larry Wiersch and members of the Cetronia Ambulance Corps Bike Team in dedicating five new Kona Safari Land Patrol bicycles to be used during special operations and to provide special event stand-by EMS services during large events.

The ambulance corps provides coverage for gatherings such as the VIA Half Marathon, Central Catholic’s Cross Country Team and many of the walks and runs at the Ironton Rail Trail, Lehigh Parkway, Trexler Nature Preserve and Rodale Park.

Getting quick and efficient access to the sick and injured in an emergency at highly attended events can often be challenging. Precious minutes can be lost by ambulances being detained in heavy event traffic while maneuvering a large emergency vehicle past physical obstructions or attempting to get through a crowd of bystanders and pedestrians.

Cetronia Ambulance Corps Bike Team provides quick medical response and care where traditional ambulance services can sometimes be delayed due to these circumstances and barriers.

The trained and skilled bike team can easily maneuver through these crowds and obstacles delivering excellent patient care and rapid response until ground transport can arrive.

Members of the bike team are equipped with AEDs, cardiac monitor, oxygen, medications to handle cardiac arrests and other cardiac emergencies, asthma attacks, allergic reactions and other common medical emergencies that can occur at any public events.

Having proper equipment and common emergency medications on bicycles allows for the immediate treatment at the scene of the accident or injury until ground transport arrives.

Cetronia’s bike team is comprised of highly skilled paramedics and emergency medical technicians who receive specialized training in special operations and bicycle operations.

All members are certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association which requires them to complete a 40-hour training course learning how to ride a bike safely over obstacles, through large crowds and tight quarters while carrying 50 pounds of equipment.

The ambulance corps’ original bikes were purchased in 1998.

Cetronia Bike Team Leader John Shambo, EMT-P, drafted a proposal for new equipment this spring.

The five bikes, each valued at more than $1,500, are fully equipped with all the necessary safety and response equipment.

Shambo gave funds to purchase one of the bikes and secured additional funding for two more bikes from the Gilbert Family.

The remaining two bikes were purchased by the corps.

At the request of the Gilbert Family, two of the bikes were dedicated to the loving memory of Ray C. Gilbert and Sherry A. Hacker.

Hacker was the mother of and grandmother to three of Cetronia Ambulance Corps associates Jasmine and Cheryl Schuster, and Carey Hacker.