[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268283,"mediaKeyId","3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c","parentId",3056361,"title","Regional ambulance service outlines operations, costs and AED program for Narberth","audioSeconds",612,"startMs",158000,"endMs",770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c&start=158&end=770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c/thumbnail_158000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268283/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Regional-ambulance-service-outlines-operations-costs-and-AED-program-for-Narberth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268283-8dca90c3dda78b41bd23735489a5ca2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167642&Signature=I766pzXd0hmSor3hx1-fhhACYhH6wv-F8LjT~o400L1STn4e7i7~Dbj~y7FWo-S5EkqbKEKr2yioQU4fak~N2TCtpnhc7TdGqV6TW-NEYVZkpBi-20hmLUeU0u226fGH7T-WDpSlcWwGwH6Qbya4cpN7W7-QvgeNytN82lcSX3QhTfHnVo790hwiZYshnGJiO64oyihbpSMsGPJaXqH76omIQ541-EyKpGYVWFmp6dQJkSLGL~~Poy5RTPShmCvInMhdndUEKz2csGmCzT0XwpGK3LC6GV-2-d-cNWMlKYfHNh5VCRPLBGUz2HAAwtCyxWztdGS4U7Egbv8zYpGkqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narberth Borough, PA","date","2025-04-19T00:59:50.743Z","article","An ambulance service representative briefed the Narberth Public Health & Safety Committee on April 11 about local call volumes, response times, and its automated external defibrillator (AED) program.

The presenter said the service is a “pure 9‑1‑1 system” focused on emergency response, not patient transport to long‑term care, and that the organization handled about 16,000 calls countywide last year with Narberth accounting for roughly 200 of those calls. The presenter said the borough’s average ambulance response time is 7 minutes, 13 seconds, below an 8‑minute guideline, and that the service added a “float truck” about a month before the meeting to respond to peak demand.

The presentation stressed operational and fiscal pressures. The ambulance the service expects to receive within about 45 days cost approximately $350,000, the presenter said. He also described reimbursement challenges: roughly 60% of the service’s transports are covered by Medicare or Medicare supplement plans, about 20% by private insurers, and approximately 16% are self‑pay; the speaker said Medicare reimbursement can cover only about a third of the service’s actual costs and that private insurers and high‑deductible plans have made collection more difficult. Typical patient bills cited ranged from about $1,300 to $2,000 depending on level of care.

Hospital off‑load delays were a second operational concern. The presenter said delays at regional hospitals have pulled ambulances out of service while crews wait to transfer patients, citing one recent instance in which a crew waited about 90 minutes to place a patient at a receiving hospital. He also noted systemwide pressure from Delaware‑County hospital changes that have increased call volume and travel distances.

On AEDs and community resuscitation, the presenter described the service’s AED placement and management work across the region, including installations for the Lower Merion School District and area places of worship. He said AEDs can be purchased refurbished for about $750–$800 or new for roughly $1,800; replacement electrode pads typically cost about $100 every two to four years and batteries $200–$400 every four to five years. The service also works with the national PulsePoint program to notify nearby trained responders of cardiac arrests.

The presenter said Narberth recorded three cardiac arrests in the borough during the January–December 2024 reporting period in which resuscitation was attempted. He emphasized the value of bystander hands‑only CPR and AED use, saying timely bystander action can extend the survivable window substantially before an ambulance arrives.

Committee members asked whether a stationary AED in Norbert Park would materially improve outcomes given existing mobile units in police, fire and public works vehicles; the presenter and committee members agreed a mobile or pilot approach tied to recurring users and permit holders might reduce theft risk while preserving access. The presenter offered to provide zip code‑level or address‑level data on call locations and a vehicle accident injuries (VAI) query to support traffic‑safety planning.

The presenter described community engagement and revenue activities including a single annual fundraiser and standby event work (for example, at collegiate sporting events) and encouraged improved membership uptake — the service sends membership mailings but said subscriber takeup is modest. He closed by inviting borough officials to request targeted data queries.

Ending: Committee members thanked the presenter and moved to subsequent agenda items. The committee did not take formal action on funding or AED placement at the meeting but directed staff to explore a pilot AED approach tied to recurring park users and to request follow‑up data from the service.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting, April 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An ambulance service representative told Narberth’s Public Health & Safety Committee on April 11 that the borough generates relatively few 9‑1‑1 calls but that the service faces rising equipment costs, hospital off‑load delays and reimbursement pressures.","taxTitle","Narberth, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",74693,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268273,"Committee favors pilot approach for park AEDs; concerns about theft and access raised",360,4200000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c&start=4200&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c/thumbnail_4200000.jpg","/articles/6268273/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-favors-pilot-approach-for-park-AEDs-concerns-about-theft-and-access-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268273-ae68f385d15e7aaaec604f522323c8d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167642&Signature=IzivdK71SjSWIuP4woTvN2qnCPCzXlE8xDS~Z1FNqWX1iKbpJEih7q0KPlACNbpWohqpx1Vw-YlLhfCtv0AcpXle6wV539bkZRxJIPaJxafioQZQGoQYdVi7-MIigXA8fyCRHhOy8C-5vrkUjAz0T92rP1HyNswb4fbtgSDylkcrjnrfnxC~H4sZNXQ6GFa7aVyXmhsp-dkPGlyfKuQUEEUHz6RrCjrNfPe~HrIz9yUmc7Lf09vSnvDxvbGmf~fyxkSD3Sg4X9xp0c~F4NhvN1H8Myy36BAsQqg~AH2XVNGUT0t4jUS7L~j9KUPy4cKZvk0Ceur17eiw~po~2icvcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Narberth committee members debated whether to install permanent AED cabinets in Norbert Park during the April 11 meeting and expressed a preference for a staged, pilot approach that limits theft risk while preserving timely access.

Jeff Belden, who presented the staff memo on park AEDs, said theft and vandalism are the primary concerns about placing an expensive device on an exposed field or standalone pedestal. Chief John String and other committee members noted police and public works vehicles already carry AEDs, and the fire department and Burrell Hall maintain devices that can reach the park.

Committee members proposed several risk‑mitigation options: (1) using a mobile AED that recurring permit holders sign out during events, (2) locating an AED in an exterior but highly visible position near the parking lot or field‑house entry rather than on the athletic field, (3) storing an AED inside the field house and granting key‑fob or permit access to recurring league organizers, or (4) piloting a funded test in which recurring users contribute modest donations to buy a mobile unit.

A motion for immediate borough‑funded installation was not made. Instead staff was directed to explore a pilot: acquire a mobile AED for Norbert Park, work with recurring users (youth leagues, adult leagues) to test a check‑out or modest‑donation model, and evaluate theft and access issues over roughly a year before broader purchases. Committee members asked staff to report back on costs, storage logistics, training availability and possible camera placement to deter theft.

Ending: The committee agreed to pursue a pilot and further outreach to recurring users and “friends of” groups; no capital appropriation was approved at the meeting.","Committee members agreed on April 11 to explore a pilot AED approach at Norbert Park rather than installing permanent outdoor cabinets, citing theft and access concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268278,"Narberth committee begins drafting traffic‑calming policy to prioritize requests and data",800,2560000,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c&start=2560&end=3360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c/thumbnail_2560000.jpg","/articles/6268278/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Narberth-committee-begins-drafting-trafficcalming-policy-to-prioritize-requests-and-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268278-574fcb5f25d82220c23e37cafbdaf5bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167642&Signature=lZjFZyAkr5pBXefBFWt9RSe5VeeVtKccBBz5LbTZH0wA8RVWiUw5Pkf1f74xb0N126EaIKrUsKVTTUXt-T2lSDzVYJNaUWrB71rQfldGYuEylm3y0d15qYbSEv5ZQbcdBO6lVo~6ocg~1tTnqEy4jR3FSnjT4OxdkokDzLb9Z0GXUKLCTaSXOUFAx-u-ppFaw6tuN~cAejdyvkMS921l5AdRrTU~~-N75heISVTXR~5OA7WzGrIauyc~ENb4WLYfi4T5f55E2~535TWh-P1dXcHDiWDYP29AMCABv6WjstuHPO6NgLf8Cu7JwUJiRFfFDAQNOK4k2xzV3y5j02q8Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Narberth’s Public Health & Safety Committee discussed an initial traffic‑calming policy framework on April 11 designed to standardize how the borough receives, evaluates and prioritizes resident requests and borough‑initiated projects.

A staff member introducing the item said the draft is intended to provide a “clear, fair framework” for processing requests ranging from speeding and cut‑through traffic to pedestrian safety concerns. The draft would incorporate data the borough already collects — speed and volume counts, crash history — and align with the borough’s active transportation plan and Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC) resources.

Committee members recommended several priorities for the draft. Suggestions included: creating an online intake form or portal that explains criteria and starts the request process; publishing existing speed and volume data publicly; setting minimum time‑frame thresholds before repeating studies at the same location; and explicitly weighing resident support against objective data (for example, proximity to schools, parks, and recorded crashes). Several members emphasized that the borough cannot rely solely on traffic hardware such as speed bumps and must use the built environment, enforcement and community education to change driving behavior.

Members asked staff to identify the estimated cost and typical effectiveness of candidate solutions (speed cushions, bump‑outs, signage, curb extensions, street art and landscaping) and to include recommended implementation steps, timelines and budget considerations in the draft policy. Haverford Avenue and business‑district pedestrian safety were raised as higher‑priority corridors that the policy should explicitly consider in addition to residential streets.

The committee did not adopt a final policy at the meeting. Staff said they would solicit additional written feedback, seek MCPC templates, work with the police and public works departments, and return a draft for committee review.","Committee members discussed a draft traffic calming and safety policy on April 11 that would create a transparent process for resident requests, identify evaluation criteria (speed, volume, crash history, proximity to schools/parks), and align with Montgomery County planning resources and the borough’s active transportation plan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268269,"Narberth updates pilots for Meeting House Lane and Price Avenue; SEPTA funding loss flagged as regional risk",0,4140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c&start=4140&end=4140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3056361-3aa63ed708e00d78d2f9da62b8aaf86c/thumbnail_4140000.jpg","/articles/6268269/Narberth/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Narberth-updates-pilots-for-Meeting-House-Lane-and-Price-Avenue-SEPTA-funding-loss-flagged-as-regional-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268269-13f8a6b19725ab9ede5469da3aa6fc2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167642&Signature=JqfN7Ti~dYN-sRUWTh1t4mT7ExGh8EnAFkc0v3eieBPa5oboHBc3Imeq1cQWx2ccGfIXuzrLisrrIyVWQ2Od7xTfQKo7z5utGRpKGR6HbQGRaJ16xNOtenYinh7XF0t4Qnlxuz0PmOL6~rKJKtMDfGOVDY5ZpThSHng4JfRmhyR~LadoyadxzlvJbJxtCnxYKYi62Ks3TsGFEVcTVO-XnebyVSRYErfjOgvkFF9SFX6klgGvsswYfy~zUS48btYl-lz0zpAMw8XNrMZdoFXMKzYYwVLPA-WkSZL-UMUghJJAw1S1gvgxphL8aTnqu~XCjaMEnbNuPtHAlGgI7ICryQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Health & Safety Committee provided timeline updates for two roadway pilots and discussed pedestrian‑access projects and an at‑risk regional transit funding line during its April 11 meeting.

Staff reported that notices have been mailed to residents along Meeting House Lane and that installation for the Meeting House Lane pilot is expected within days of the meeting. Letters regarding a pilot on Price Avenue will go out the following week, and staff said installations for that pilot are likely later in April; both pilots will run through the summer and into the next school year to gather seasonal data and resident feedback.

Committee members also noted that the Montgomery County Planning Commission’s draft active transportation GIS is online and that a steering committee meeting was scheduled; staff said results and maps would be reported back to the committee. Committee members asked staff to make speed/volume/crash data available online as part of the borough’s public information and to include a resident feedback mechanism tied to the pilots (for example, a web form or the borough’s general inquiry portal).

In broader transportation discussion, several members raised an immediate concern: planned SEPTA regional rail service reductions if federal funding is not approved. Staff warned that losing SEPTA regional rail would raise congestion, affect commuting options, and could reduce property values and municipal tax revenue. Members urged residents to contact federal and state legislators; staff said they would prepare a call‑to‑action message for social media and local outreach.

Ending: The committee did not take new capital decisions at the meeting; it will collect resident feedback during the Meeting House Lane and Price Avenue pilots and return with data after the pilot periods.","The committee approved notice and near‑term installation for a pilot on Meeting House Lane and scheduled letters and installation timing for Price Avenue. Members also discussed the county draft active transportation GIS and urged residents to contact state/federal officials about potential SEPTA service cuts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Regional ambulance service outlines operations, costs and AED program for Narberth

Committee favors pilot approach for park AEDs; concerns about theft and access raised

Narberth committee begins drafting traffic‑calming policy to prioritize requests and data

Narberth updates pilots for Meeting House Lane and Price Avenue; SEPTA funding loss flagged as regional risk