East Allen Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps made a formal presentation to the township’s board of supervisors July 13 on the progress it has made over the past year.

“Many of the volunteer ambulance companies are folding, but we remain strong and growing,” said Matthew Morrow, the highest-ranking member of the ambulance corps.

The corps was founded in 1979 and was co-located with the fire department until 1985, when it moved into its present quarters on the grounds of the historical Craig House. The ambulance corps has 31 members, two in-service ambulance vehicles and a quick response vehicle.

After a detailed review of its operations over the past few years, the ambulance corps added paid members to its staff.

“What we saw was that we were losing calls because we could not adequately cover workday hours. Most of our calls were between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” Morrow explained.

Call volume decreased substantially in 2015.

“We missed a lot of dispatches,” he said.

The records showed the ambulance corps was unable to respond anywhere from 40 to 70 hours per week.

“With the addition of hired staff during the daytime hours, we changed our number dramatically,” Morrow said.

At last count, the ambulance corps was unable to respond six hours a week.

“The better response time and availability have improved our reputation … There are organizations that specifically ask for us to be there. We did work outside the immediate area because they specifically asked for us,” Morrow explained.

East Allen Township is covered with ambulance service during the “uncovered hours” because other companies will respond.

Morrow likes to see East Allen Township covered by its own ambulance corps. According to the records, East Allen responds to 90 percent of the local calls.

Hired staff was not taken from the volunteers.

“That seems like it doesn’t make sense, but everyone we talked to said they had a problem when they hired volunteers. We took their advice, and we have been able to retain our volunteers and helped keep the ambulance corps relevant,” Morrow said.

Staffing costs run about $140,000, and the income generated exceeds the cost. The corps is mulling expanding its facilities and adding ambulances.

“We can continue to provide good service to the township and our neighbors. We are meeting the demands and making the runs to keep us financially stable,” Morrow said.