The Blakely Borough Community Ambulance Association (BBCA) was established in 1972 out of a increasing need for pre-hospital medical care in Blakely Borough. Prior to this, ambulance service was provided in Peckville by the Jessup Ambulance and in Blakely by the Olyphant Ambulance. During the first year of operation the BBCA purchased its first ambulance, a 1972 International. The company operated out of the garage of hilltop dairy on Keystone Ave. Peckville and then moved to the garage of Gasparini Enterprises lower Lillybridge Street Peckville. Dispatching was done with an answering service and phones. In 1973 the BBCA moved into a newly constructed headquarters at 500 Academy Street Peckville. Eventually dispatching was taken over by “Ram Base” Jermyn and continued into the late 70’s until the county assumed the role. Numerous members of the BBCA began receiving their EMT certifications in the early to mid 1970’s.
In 1974 the BBCA expanded its service by purchasing a second ambulance, a 1974 Cadillac. A hurst “Jaws-Of-Life” hydraulic rescue system was also purchased in 1974. The purchase of the jaws was only the second tool in the county at the time. The original tool is still in service to date. The tool was loaded into the back of the Cadillac ambulance when it was needed. In 1978 a Saulsbury light duty rescue truck was put into service. This unit was equipped with the “Jaws” and other rescue equipment. An on-board generator powered 4000 watts of lighting that was often used in the mid-valley area for various incidents. This unit was the first non-civil-defense style rescue vehicle in Lackawanna County. This vehicle was in service until 1989 when it was replaced. The borough of Blakely purchased the useful vehicle and it had a dual roll. The police department used it as a S.W.A.T. vehicle and the DPW used it as a sewer maintenance vehicle. It became affectionately known as the S&S Truck. In 2002 the vehicle was re-acquired by the BBCA and is still in service today as a tactical support vehicle (TS-22).
In 1981 the BBCA purchased its first type III Modular Ambulance. It was one of the first Modular ambulances in the area. This unit eventually was converted into a field communications unit by the Blakely Police Department and then later operated by the Wilson Fire Company and was known as Fieldcom-20. It is now out of service. A second modular ambulance was purchased in 1984.
1989 proved a to be a milestone year for the BBCA by putting in service a 1989 Ford/Saulsbury dedicated non-fire heavy rescue vehicle. This unit set the mark for increased efficiency in vehicle rescue. Equipped with 8000 watts of lighting, a 25k hydraulic generator, 2 pre-connected hydraulic rescue tools, 2 pneumatic tool lines, 2 100’ electric cord reels. This was the single largest capital project of the BBCA to date.
This unit remained in service until it was replaced in 2007. It was sold and is now serving the Pelican Fire Department in Wisconsin.
In 1996 the BBCA realized a need for a totally new 10-year plan to address certain short-comings both in facilities, manpower and equipment. Faced with an aging fleet, lack of volunteers and inadequate facilities the membership decided to sell off the two current ambulances and get one new ambulance and one quick response vehicle. The ambulance would have a more powerful motor to help cut response times to the mountainous section of the borough. The QRV was a 1996 GMC suburban that would address both the manpower issue and cut response times as well. The QRV functioned as both a medical and rescue response vehicle. The BBCA pioneered this concept in Lackawanna County. Also part of the 10-year plan was to construct a new, larger headquarters across the street from the existing station. This was the former sight of the Blakely High School which burned in 1972. In October 2002 the new station was dedicated. The station features a 7500 sq ft 6-door truck bay, a training classroom, hall, conference room, along with increased administrative and storage facilities. Members recall being on the construction site during a progress meeting when the terrorist attacks occurred in New York and Washington DC on 9/11/2001. The final phase of the plan was the replacing of the 1989 rescue truck. In October 2007 the final phase was completed with the servicing of a HME/Marion heavy rescue vehicle.
Prior to the arrival of the new rescue truck the BBCA also acquired a Kawasaki mule in 2005 to be used in off-road rescue and special operations. This was the first specialty unit of its kind in the county. In 2007 the BBCA took delivery, through the regional terrorism task force, for an MCI Trailer. This trailer was one of two purchased in Lackawanna County. The 10-year plan was successful and membership numbers have increased to comfortable levels.
The BBCA has enjoyed much success in a relatively short period of time. The dedicated volunteers of the BBCA hope to continue the tradition of excellence for decades to come.