Greater Valley EMS began providing rescue services for our community in 1955. At that time, all of the rescue tools were carried in the ambulance. GVEMS purchased its first Hurst hydraulic rescue tools in 1973, and was among the first to have hydraulic tools in the region. In 1986, GVEMS purchased its first dedicated rescue truck, a 1986 Ford F-350 with a utility box. GVEMS also reorganized its Rescue Division in 1986, allowing members to join for rescue only.

Currently, Greater Valley EMS provides rescue services for the following municipalities: Athens, Sayre, South Waverly Boroughs; and Athens & Litchfield Townships. We also respond for mutual aid requests from our neighboring services. We operate a 1999 Freightliner FL-70 with a 16 foot walk-in box.

The rescue truck is certified as an ALS Squad by the PA Department of Health. Valley Rescue 7 is the only rescue in the area that is able to provide advanced life support care to a patient. Rescue 7 typically responds with a rescue-trained paramedic, and the equipment on the rescue is configured to permit that rescuer to take ALS care to wherever the patient might be (or might be in!). Greater Valley EMS is also recognized by the PA Department of Health’s Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition Program. GVEMS Rescue is recognized at the Operations Level of the VRSR program. The VRSR program establishes standards for staffing, training, and equipment for rescue services. The program is divided into three levels, with Operations being the mid-level recognition.

GVEMS’ Rescue Division is trained and equipped to provide not only vehicle rescue services, but also high angle rope rescue, surface ice rescue, and to participate with the local fire services for swift water rescue emergencies. The walk-in box of the rescue is designed to function as a mobile command post when needed, having communications capabilities with all local agencies and a wide assortment of maps and other resource materials.

Some of the equipment carried on Valley Rescue 7 includes:
Full complement of hydraulic rescue tools, including 4 cutters, three spreaders, and a full complement of rams.

- Set of Maxi Force high pressure airbags, including up to 41.5 tons of lifting capability.

- Full complement of cribbing, including long cribbing & stabilization struts.

- ArcAir SLICE Pack exothermic cutting torch.

- 9,000 watt Wil-Burt Night Scan light tower, with an additional 6,000 watts of portable lighting.

- Over 1450 feet of ½ inch lifeline rescue rope, high-angle rescue hardware and harnesses.

- Water & ice rescue equipment including rescue throw bags, PFDs, patient slings, and ice rescue poles.

- A wide array of hand tools, ranging from brooms and shovels to wrenches and screw drivers, to bolt cutters, axes, halligan bars, and pike poles.

- Raytheon ACU-M interoperable communications gateway device with a complement of portable radios and field programming capabilites.

- A full set of basic and advanced life support equipment, including IV supplies, advanced airway supplies, cardiac monitoring capabilities, and emergency medications.

- Oxygen rehab equipment, including 2 mass delivery devices enabling us to provide oxygen to up to 10 patients simultaneously.

- Laptop computer with hazardous materials information programs and printer/copier/scanner capabilities.

- Pre-plans for local businesses and industries (SARA Title III facilities).

For more information about our rescue division, please contact Derrick Hall, NREMT-P, Rescue Captain