Responders prepare for township growth
LOWER PROVIDENCE » A10 percent increase in population. New retail and commercial growth. A surge in building construction. It’s all in store for Lower Providence Township within the next five years.
And preparing for it is the top priority of Christopher Reynolds, newly appointed chief of operations for Lower Providence Emergency Medical Service.
“After talking with township officials and studying township data, it’s clear that Lower Providence Township will soon be undergoing major changes,” Reynolds said in a recent interview. “Population growth alone is expected to increase from 25,000 to 28,000. And, by the looks of things, there will be further building expansion on the Shanondell property in Audubon, along with a new hotel and more retail establishments.
“Because much of the expected growth will be in the Audubon section, we will be focusing our attention to our Audubon substation.”
Currently, Reynolds pointed out, the station is in service seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Right now, we don’t feel it’s necessary to put the station on 24/7,” he said. “However, we are watching call volume closely and, if estimated growth turns out to be correct, we’ll put the station on 24/7.
“In anticipation of the township’s growth, we’ll also be looking ahead at potential staffing and equipment additions.”
Currently, the ambulance unit employs 50 full- and part-time career and five volunteer emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
In June, Reynolds was promoted from deputy chief to chief of operations, which made him the first career chief of emergency medical service in Lower Providence Township and, at 32 years of age, the youngest ambulance chief in Montgomery County.
Reynolds pointed out that, as a full-time career chief, he is now able to spend more time planning for the township’s expected growth. As part of the planning process, he said, “I’ll be able to spend more time meeting and exchanging ideas and discussing problems with township, state and county officials as well as attending meetings with emergency responders.”
The Lower Providence Emergency Medical Service covers an area of 15.6 square miles and responds to 3,400 calls annually -- a number which is expected to grow to 4,400 by 2022.