Mainline medic station back in service after fire

ARDMORE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Hundreds of people gathered in Ardmore on Sunday afternoon to welcome the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lower Merion and Narberth back home.

The corps' main station was heavily damaged by fire back on March 28. One ambulance was destroyed and another damaged beyond repair.

Since then, the 30 professionals and 60 volunteers, who provide some 6,500 rides per year, have been working in borrowed space and on borrowed equipment.

"Ambulances from New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania offered trucks to us to get back in service. We actually had to move out of the building, there was so much damage. We moved to the Gladwyne fire company for about 35 days and ran out of there," said Chief Christopher Flanagan.

Insurance covered most but not all of the losses.

Sunday's block party was both a fundraiser and the corps's way of letting neighbors know they're back up and running at full speed.

Children enjoyed rides, face-painting, and got to check out the ambulances and equipment close-up.

Plus, there was plenty of food, along with a chance to enter raffles and buy merchandise.

Main Line Health's Bryn Mawr Hospital presented the corps with a $1,000 check.

The president of the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners spoke about the important role the corps plays in the area.

"I think that we're really lucky that we have such a strong volunteer core that supplemented and that we have the service," said Liz Rogan.

Even with the insurance payment the corp still has funding gap of $50,000-$60,000. They are accepting donations from the public.

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