As an active member of the Pennsylvania Strike Team, Cetronia Ambulance Corps provides staffing, vehicles, equipment and other resources to be utilized for major emergency and disaster response.

Following Hurricane Sandy, representatives from Cetronia and the Region II Strike Team were deployed to Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth counties in New Jersey.

Cetronia's teams operated in conjunction with other Pennsylvania EMS Strike Team's providing 911 relief, shelter support and search and rescue operations.

"We are proud to have men and women on our teams who are dedicated to disaster response, not only in our local area, but for areas throughout the country that need assistance when devastation strikes," said Larry Wiersch, chief executive officer for Cetronia Ambulance Corps.

In the past, Cetronia has provided Strike Teams that were deployed to Hurricanes Katrina, Lee, Irene and now Sandy.

"Preparedness and readiness are key elements both prior to and after disaster strikes," Wiersch said. "Ensuring we are always ready to help is a key mission that we have as an EMS agency in the community and making sure everyone returns home safely is a true testament of success when we help others in their recovery."

The first Strike Team deployment was activated immediately following the storm, with crews departing Oct. 30 and returning Nov. 5.

Their mission was to assist NJ EMS operations by providing back up 911 services to local first aid squads and fire departments that lost their equipment during the storm.

Support was also provided to medical staffing at the Red Cross shelters and assistance in transporting special needs residents.

"This mission once again proved that EMS is about helping others and working together as a team regardless of the background or patch that is worn," said Michael LaPearl, Cetronia Ambulance Corps EMT-P, operations supervisor and Strike Team number 1 lead. "The countless number of citizens that showed their appreciation by saying thank you, waving or coming to the base camp to provide food demonstrated that our teams were greatly appreciated."

On Nov. 2, a second team was activated, which returned Nov. 10.

Their mission was to primarily assist with the 911 response in the towns of Hazlet, Union Beach and Keyport.

"Union Beach was hit the hardest. Their EMS company lost all of its equipment and its station," stated Brad Miller, EMT-P, crew chief and Strike Team number 2 lead for Cetronia Ambulance Corps. "When we arrived on scene, the Union Beach EMS chief was so happy we came to help, he cried.

"A lot of the time it feels like EMS isn't appreciated or that we are the tail end of the funding line. It's things like this that make it all worthwhile."

The Region II Strike Team is managed by the Eastern PA EMS Council of which Cetronia Ambulance commits two ALS vehicles with four people per vehicle to the team.

A total of 16 emergency personnel from Cetronia receive extensive annual training in disaster operations and are members of the regional team.

Each team from Cetronia consisted of two Emergency Medical Technicians, two Paramedics and an Advanced Life Support equipped ambulance, all outfitted to remain in the field without support for up to seven days.

"The areas assisted by the PA EMS Strike Team were completely devastated by Hurricane Sandy Miller said. "Most were without basic services for over a week and some areas lost all of their emergency equipment.

"All of the Strike Team crews were welcomed with an outpouring of support from the affected communities."