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Dec 4, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

Sherry Nicholson, director of Brownsville Area Ambulance Inc., recently received her master’s degree in homeland security and emergency services management. She is one of three women in the state who serve as EMS directors.

In 1976, the Brownsville Ambulance Service Inc. (BASI) was a small volunteer service with one ambulance at their disposal.

“Through the years, we’ve grown. Somewhere in the early-to-mid-1980s half of the staff was paid and the other half was volunteer,” said Sherry Nicholson, director of BASI. “By the 1990’s we went to a fully paid staff.”

They also grew to include two stations and seven ambulances on hand.

“We had calls dispatched to us by the Brownsville Police Department originally, but in 1981, BASI was able to purchase a radio system and equipment so we could get our own calls through 911,” Nicholson said.

Each year, the ambulance service responds to more than 5,000 calls and they are staffed 24/7.

As a nonprofit serving the community, they are dependent upon donations and they offer a subscription service to benefit both the ambulance service and the resident.

“We do a subscription drive every year. If you join our service each year, it helps us purchase equipment and as a subscriber, if you have a copay with your insurance, we take half of that cost off for the emergency transport,” Nicholson said.

Subscriptions aren’t required to receive services; however, for many it’s a benefit and could save them money in the long run. Others choose to donate simply to support the service.

Most recently, BASI was able to purchase a new ambulance, a new LUCAS device for external CPR and two new heart monitors through those funds and grants. The heart monitors are able to transmit EKGs to the hospital.

The team of 50 brings a variety of skills to the service, including dispatchers, emergency medical responders (EMR), emergency medical technicians (EMT), advanced emergency medical technicians (A-EMT), paramedics and pre-hospital nurses.

This past May, Nicolson earned her master’s degree in homeland security and emergency services management. She was recognized by the National Society of Leadership and Success and is one of three female EMS directors within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In addition to taking the required regular training and skill reviews by the state, the staff offer some of the same training to the public.

Many professions, such as educators, child care providers, electricians, flight attendants and social workers are required to obtain similar certifications in addition to health care personnel.

“We offer CPR, first aid, Stop the Bleed and narcan training. We schedule them on a regular basis, but many times, if someone calls and requests it, we’ll set up a class for their specific group,” Nicholson said.

Follow BASI on Facebook for current event information, and to learn more about the nonprofit agency.