Though they are not affiliated, except for a common name, and operate as separate 501c(3) non-profit community-based organizations, there seems to be some confusion among residents regarding the Cetronia Fire Department and Cetronia Ambulance Corps.

The two "Cetronias" did start their lives as a common community volunteer service, but separated well over 50 years ago.

The Cetronia Ambulance Corps is currently headquartered at 3939 Broadway, South Whitehall, with administrative offices at 7355 William Ave., Upper Macungie, a shared station in Upper Macungie's Emergency Services Station 56, and a station on Pine Street, Whitehall.

The ambulance corps will be consolidating the administrative facility with its operations center in an effort to maximize resources and increase efficiency of its High Performance EMS System.

The ambulance corps is moving only these two facilities into a Joint Operations, Medico-Legal Forensics and Community Education Center, shared with Lehigh County, at the intersection of Broadway and Parkway Road in spring 2014.

Cetronia Ambulance Corps will still service all the communities it serves today with increased response capabilities, largely due to the efficiencies achieved through the new center.

The corps will remain in all but the 3939 Broadway and 7355 William Ave. locations.

Specifically, Cetronia Ambulance Corps serves all of Whitehall, South Whitehall, Western Salisbury, Upper Macungie, portions of Weisenberg and Lowhill townships, and all of Coplay Borough.

The corps also provides mutual aid coverage to many other areas within the region, as well as non-emergency medical transportation to multiple counties.

The Cetronia Fire Department is at 3950 Broadway, directly across the street from the ambulance corps' current operations center, but does not share any assets or income of the ambulance corps.

The organizations do support each other during emergencies such as traffic accidents requiring extrication or fires where the ambulance corps provides rehabilitation services to firefighters on scene, as well as EMS care to possible fire victims.

The two organizations have a very good working relationship, a longstanding commitment to community service and both take great pride in serving the South Whitehall community.

What appears to lead to the confusion is the fire department's annual fundraising program and the annual mailings from Cetronia Ambulance Corps.

This month, the ambulance corps will be sending a subscription mailing to all residents who are not currently subscribers.

With a paid annual subscription to the Cetronia Ambulance Corps, subscribers will receive a discount on ambulance and non-emergency transport services.

The Cetronia Fire Department solicits donations from within its response area to help defray operating and upgrade costs.

The fire district extends from Congress Street south to Catherine Drive and from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to 31st Street. It is only within this area the fire department solicits donations.

It is important to note that while both organizations will still provide emergency response and respective services to residents if they do not participate in the subscription program or make a donation to the operational fund, residents are encouraged to support these non-profit organizations that provide life-saving services and emergency response to South Whitehall residents.

For information, contact Fire Chief Jay Heicklen at 610-398-1556 or Caitlin Stibitz, director of marketing and public relations for Cetronia Ambulance Corps, at 610-530-5511.