Mister Tredyffrin and Friends

Eamon Brazunas is running for Tredyffrin Township Supervisor at Large. He has been a Berwyn Fire Company volunteer firefighter for almost ten years. From his campaign website: “His credentials include national certification at the Firefighter II level and Fire Instructor I level; as well as, having been appointed as a company Lieutenant. Eamon also has additional community first responder experience in Lancaster, Centre and Cumberland counties with fire-rescue organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Berwyn Fire Company as Vice-President.”

This makes Mr. Brazunas eminently qualified to comment on and give suggestions for the improvement of our emergency response system, and he did so in the latest issues of the Wayne and Suburban Times and Main Line Life.

To the Editor:

Like many children, a 5-year-old girl in my neighborhood suffers from severe food allergies. Her parents carry two epinephrine shots and a bottle of Benadryl everywhere they go. Although they live in Tredyffrin, the next time she goes into anaphylactic shock, they could expect an ambulance in about ten long minutes. Given the rising 911 call volume, the struggle to retain and recruit volunteers and professionals, the lack of satellite stations, and high traffic flow, it’s no surprise why Tredyffrin’s response rates do not meet the National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA’s) standards and National EMS standards.

Tredyffrin’s schools, parks and library system are among the best in Pennsylvania – and nationwide. Why, then, do our emergency services and overall preparedness efforts fall short?

How much are we willing to pay to protect every citizen and how many lives are we willing to risk? With high-density population growth in the Paoli area, an increase in food allergies, and an aging baby boomer population, Tredyffrin’s elected officials need to step up to the plate and make emergency services delivery a top priority. Lives most certainly depend on it.

Improving response times of Fire and Emergency Medical Services should be a priority for our elected officials in Tredyffrin Township. We must support the volunteer and paid professionals that save taxpayers millions of dollars on an annual basis. There are Conestoga High School students, who at the age of 18 serve in the full volunteer firefighter and/or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) capacity saving taxpayers at least $30, 000 in annual salary per first responder.

Just look at these example response times:

* an emergency response by the Berwyn Fire Co. to Walker Rd. and General Scott Rd. will take an average of 10 minutes based on distance and traveling at a safe rate of speed.

* an emergency response by the Paoli Fire Co. to Mill Rd. and Yellow Springs Rd. will take an average of 9 minutes based on distance and traveling at a safe rate of speed.

* an emergency response by the Radnor Fire Co. to Old Eagle School Rd. and Strawbridge Lane will take an average of 8 minutes based on distance and traveling at a safe rate of speed.

The idea of a satellite station is one that has come up before but is not currently under discussion. The initial plans for Chesterbrook called for a fire/EMS station to be built to protect the lives and property that would densely populate this area of the township. Unfortunately it never happened. Do we need to raise the idea again?

I moved to this area with my family in 1989 and grew up on Glenhardie Road. I have been a volunteer firefighter in the Tredyffrin/Easttown area for nearly a decade. In my professional career I work for the American Red Cross on disaster preparedness and other issues. The Glenhardie Area and the upper portion of the Chesterbrook area closest to Valley Forge Park are some of the sections of the township that would benefit from improved response times. In fact, the whole township would benefit from a thoughtful examination of this issue.

I believe that elected officials are in the trusted position of providing protection and direction for those who depend and rightfully expect those benefits as community residents. One of the main reasons that guided me in my decision to seek the office of Tredyffrin Township Supervisor was the high priority that I have long placed on the obligation of neighbors to help neighbors.

Eamon Brazunas, Tredyffrin Supervisor-At-Large Candidate

This was an eye-opening story for me. I have friends who live in the northeast portion of our township, and I am surprised to hear how long it would take for them to get help if they need it.

When I asked around, I found out that others were not unaware of this issue. In fact, an EMT told one of my friends that if his daughter has an allergic reaction he was to report an address down the road to the 911 operator, and then drive his daughter to that location to make sure that he gets quick response. Amazing.

Here’s hoping that Brazunas gets a chance to implement his ideas on the Board of Supervisors this coming year.