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  2007 NEWS

 

 

BOBELLA HEADS EMS COUNCIL

 

BY FRANK ANDRUSCAVAGE
STAFF WRITER
fandruscavage@republicanherald.com
11/05/2007
 
SAINT CLAIR — Saint Clair Mayor Stephen J. Bobella Jr. was recently elected president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Council in Allentown.
The Eastern PA EMS Council is a nonprofit organization established under state legislation to act as a local regulatory body that assists the Department of Health with local EMS organizations throughout the six-county EMS region.

The council employs an executive director, Dr. Ev Binns, and support staff that conduct inspections, facilitate quality assurance programs and also assist other EMS organizations such as communications centers in obtaining grants for equipment and training.

The council also provides technical assistance to various EMS services.

Bobella said the council is comprised of several committees, including executive, communications, basic life support, advanced life support, trauma review, medical advisory, public education and information, quality assurance and improvement, education and training, finance, rescue and MCI and hospital classification. It also deals with the MedCom medical communications system and the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team.

Bobella has a long history in the emergency medical services field.

He started in the Saint Clair Junior Ambulance at age 12 and has always had a desire to help others, he said.

At age 16, he was elected president of the junior ambulance and also graduated to become a member of the senior corps.

Bobella graduated from Nativity BVM High School in 1990 and the Harrisburg Area Community College in 1991.

He was hired as a staff paramedic by Northcentral Berks Paramedics in Leesport and became the executive director of Schuylkill Valley EMS in 1994.

During this time, Bobella was the executive director of EMS Support Services, providing EMS billing and consulting throughout the East Coast.

He is also active in many activities and roles including serving as emergency management coordinator for Saint Clair borough, a member of the Saint Clair Car Cruise Committee; chairmen of the Berks County Medical Group for Counter-terrorism, bringing more than $350,000 in grants to the EMS units of Berks County and a board member of the Eastern PA EMS Council. He also sits on various public safety committees on the local, state and federal levels.

Bobella developed the Schuylkill Valley EMS Special Operations Division in 1999 in preparation for responses to both man-made and natural disasters, including incidents of school and workplace violence and incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.

In 2000, he developed the SVEMS Tactical EMS program and sat on the committee to create a regional SWAT medic program that now serves six counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania and multiple organized SWAT teams in the region including the Reading Bomb Squad and Reading VICE, The Lehigh County MERT team, Lehigh County Drug Task Force, Palmer SWAT team, Easton SWAT team and the Bethlehem and Allentown SWAT teams.

He sits on various committees dealing with counterterrorism throughout the region and also on pandemic flu planning committees.

Bobella assisted in the development of the first organized statewide EMS response group known as the Pennsylvania EMS Strike Team.

He became the SVEMS team leader for the group and was a member of the first organized response from Pennsylvania regarding emergency medical services to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

The PA EMS Strike team coordinated and was in control of the Louis Armstrong Airport, one of the largest treatment and triage centers after the storm, with team members completing various rescues in New Orleans and assisting the California

National Guard with tactical EMS support.

In 2006, Bobella received the Berks County Heroes Award for the Hurricane Katrina response and also received honors from Gov. Ed Rendell and the U.S. House of representatives.

He has been a paramedic instructor and pre-hospital paramedic preceptor for the Reading Hospital Paramedic Program since 1993, and assisted in the development of the Schuylkill Valley EMS American Heart Association training site, providing important CPR and First Aid training throughout the region.

Bobella wrote and received grants through the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association to bring public education to Schuylkill County in 2005 and 2006. He also gave seminars on coronary heart disease and strokes to various groups in Schuylkill County and provided home CPR training to businesses throughout the county with home training kits and education.

In 2005, he was elected mayor of Saint Clair and has assisted Police Chief Michael Carey in obtaining various local, state and federal grants for equipment.

He also assisted Carey in furthering his narcotics division with the first anonymous drug hotline at 429-HELP and assisted him in creating a forensic computer investigations unit.

 

BOBELLA MOVES INTO NEW RESIDENCE

Residents wanting to contact the Mayor can do so by calling his residence at 617-1005.  Mayor Bobella recently moved into his new home with girlfriend Amanda  and her two small children Haley and Lola. 

 

 

 

2006 NEWS

 

03/11/2006
Saint Clair tip line up and running
BY TERESA SCHARTEL Staff Writer
tschartel@republicanherald.com

 
SAINT CLAIR —The Saint Clair Police Department is cracking down on crime.
An anonymous criminal and narcotic tip line is now in operation, Mayor Stephen J. Bobella Jr. announced Friday.

 
Citizens from the borough and New Castle Township can call 429-HELP or 877-38-CRIME to report any criminal mischief or illicit drug activity.

Bobella said citizens do not have to provide their name, address or telephone number when leaving messages. He said all information will remain confidential and only he and Chief of Police Michael P. Carey have access to the line.

The hotline is one step in the department's plan to be "progressive from top to bottom," said Sgt. William M. Dempsey.

"The expansion of the borough over the past 10 years has caused a 75 percent increase in calls for police assistance," Dempsey said.

During an interview Friday, Bobella, Carey and Dempsey talked about how they're working to keep the department resolute.

Change of address, driver's license, handicap parking and vacation watch forms will be available in the vestibule of the police station in April, said Carey. Pamphlets from the Safe Communities Incentive Program will be available, as well information on how the community can assist the department.

"We want people to know that we care about their neighborhood; we're encouraging everyone to be involved," Carey said.

The department is gradually implementing a computer forensics investigative unit, Carey said. Officer Chad Seitzinger has attended training with the FBI and U.S. Secret Service.

"Computer crime is widespread and most police aren't knowledgeable of how to handle it," Carey said, specifying that the borough has had a series of run-ins with e-mail lottery and Medicare scams targeting elderly.

Typically, if an incident occurs where computers can be used as evidence, the computer would have to be sent to an outside agency for analysis, which can take up to six months, Carey said. However, when Seitzinger completes his training, forensic testing will be an in-house operation.

Dempsey also highlighted the department's canine member, Bruno. The Saint Clair police are the only local force using a dog for the detection of narcotics. The department has utilized Bruno daily in the two years they've had him, he said.

"His presence deters drug dealers from establishing themselves in our community," Dempsey said.

Bruno has also been a useful tool in mobilizing children. Dempsey said the appearance of Bruno at schools has sparked children's interest in law enforcement and the fight against drugs.

The good news for taxpayers, Bobella said, is that maintaining and updating the police department is not costing them any extra money. He said the department's latest equipment and training has been paid for with grants.
 


 

 

 

02/09/2006
Saint Clair police to set up drug hotline
BY TERESA SCHARTEL Staff Writer
tschartel@republicanherald.com

 
SAINT CLAIR — The borough police department plans to have an 800-number for anonymous tips on drug activity up and running by March.
The borough council approved the addition of the tip hotline to the police station during their meeting Tuesday night.

 
Mayor Steven Bobella said during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that police Chief Michael P. Carey and officers have been kicking the idea around for a while.

He said the 800-number will be a second line at the station that would lead to an answering service. There will be no devices to detect who is calling, he said.

"Sometimes people don't want to come forward with complaints or problems because they are afraid of retaliation," Bobella said.

Bobella said officers do not detect an increase in illegal substance use in the borough, but have been brainstorming ways to better assist them in the fight against drugs.

"I think every community has a drug problem. The question is how many people are aware of it," Bobella said.

Tools implemented to stop drug use in the borough include neighborhood watches, the police force's K-9 drug dog, Bruno, and a narcotics division.

Bobella said he will meet with officers Friday to discuss the particulars of adding the line, and he said the number will be released the same day.

The council and police will market the number and other information about the service in light bills and through the distribution of cards.

The council also approved a brochure stand to be placed at the entrance of the police station to make information regarding community policing and borough activity available to the community.
 

 

 

S
Saint Clair swears in new mayor after 36 years
 
BY TERESA SCHARTEL Staff Writer
tschartel@republicanherald.com 		01/04/2006

ASAINT CLAIR — The council swore in a new mayor during its reorganization meeting Tuesday night.

The borough is welcoming Democratic Mayor Stephen Bobella after saying goodbye to former mayor Richard E. Tomko, who served the borough for 36 years.

 

 During a phone interview prior to the meeting, Bobella said he is very happy and proud to be the mayor of Saint Clair.

"I promise to work hard for you and live up the confidence you placed in me," Bobella said to approximately 30 people who attended the meeting.

He said his primary responsibility as mayor is to work with the police department. He said he intends to work closely with Michael P. Carey, chief of police, who Bobella said is "doing a fine job."

"I want to ensure that he has the proper tools to continue doing a fine job," Bobella said.

He also said he looks forward to unveiling a community-based Web site that will contain information about borough businesses and organizations.

Bobella reminded the council that it is their responsibility to educate the public, and said that he intends to look closely at issues that have arisen with the borough's sanitation department and electric light department.

In late November, the council announced that is was seeking bids to possibly privatize borough trash pickup. While council President Michael McCord said in a previous statement that council is only exercising their "due diligence" by looking at other sanitation companies as a way to save money, public concern continues to escalate.

Bobella is employed as the executive director of emergency services, Leesport. He said he has no prior experience in borough politics, but he has held several community leadership positions.

He said he serves as the borough's emergency manager, was the chief of ambulance services for seventeen years and sat on the Saint Clair car cruise committee.

After being sworn into his position by Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Bobella swore in returning council members John "Jack" Shandor, James Lurish and Michael Petrizino for four-year terms. He also appointed Linda Jaskierski to a two-year council position.

Michael McCord was re-appointed to his position as president and Valeria Davis as vice president. Carol Sutzko was re-appointed to the position of treasurer and Roland J. Price Jr. to the position of secretary.

During the meeting, the council voted to accept a bid for $89,880 from Mobile Lift for a new electric bucket truck. McCord said the existing truck is in poor condition.
©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2006

BELOW IS THE ENTIRE SPEECH MAYOR BOBELLA GAVE AT THE BOROUGH RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING

January 3, 2006

When I started my Campaign I made no promises.  I am a firm believer that when a Man of his word makes a promise it is not to be broken.  I am aware of the responsibilities of the Mayor and understand that I will be learning new things as I grow into this new position.

I want to thank my family and the people that volunteered in the campaign.  I thank you for your confidence in me. I also want to thank all the Voters that have given me the opportunity to serve.

 Finally on behalf of the people of Saint Clair I want to say thank you again to Mayor Richard Tomko.  Mayor Tomko has been an inspiration to many people who sit here today. Thank you for your many years of community service.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 I also want to congratulate all the Members of Borough Council.  Being a person who has devoted my life to Community service I understand the important role you play in our Borough.  We must begin a professional relationship.  A partnership that starts today!  Personalities and attitudes must be removed from the situation we currently are in to ensure our Borough moves forward.  Those of you that know me know that I am a person who will fight strongly for what I believe in. I will fight for what our community needs with or without the support of my peers as evidence of me standing here today.  Mr. Shandor you had the pleasure of watching me grow up just down the street from you.  You know the values that family instilled in my life.  The values that have made me who I am today.  I respect you greatly for all you have done for the Borough of Saint Clair.

 As Mayor my primary responsibility is that of our Police Force.  Chief Carey please stand.  Chief Carey has brought to Saint Clair a strong devotion to community policing. I have respected you for many years and believe you have done a fine job in molding our department into one of the best in Schuylkill County.  You have devoted long hard hours ensuring that our department can handle any type of incident it is faced with.  I spent many hours with Chief Carey prior to today and I have learned from him that the police department cannot do their job properly without the support of the community.  I have personally witnessed many community programs that the Chief has developed with regards to our Borough.  I hope to work closely with you insuring you have the necessary tools to continue the fine job you have been doing.  I feel as though many people don’t understand the complexity and the dangers that our officers see every time they put on our uniform.  Chief Carey, you can count on me to stand behind you. 

 Chief Johns, Chief Jenkins, the Borough of Saint Clair has been blessed with two extraordinary volunteer organizations.   The Volunteer Fire Department is one of the strongest Volunteer Departments around and coupled with a strong Volunteer Ambulance service, provide vital protection for our residence and visitors at all times of the day and night.   I will continue to support these outstanding volunteer organizations. 

 Our community has many volunteer groups that also provide great services.  The SC Force, The SC151 Committee, The Saint Clair Lions, The Kiwanis Club, The Veterans of Saint Clair, and The Saint Clair Car Cruise, just to name a few, provide a variety of Community related programs and services essential to our borough.  The list of volunteer organizations could go on for hours, and I just want to say thank you for all that you do and keep up the outstanding work. 

 In closing, Council,  I want you to know that I will be a voice of our Community.  During my campaign a great deal of residence had expressed their concerns over the increases in our electric light department and the fear of losing our borough owned sanitation department.  I ask you as a Council to work diligently in addressing these concerns and educating our residents on what they have trusted you to perform.  I look forward to unveiling a community oriented website promoting the small businesses within our town and educating residents and visitors of our fine Borough.  I want this to be a tool that residents can use in there daily lives containing information on lowering heating and electricity costs.  I am proud today to become the New Mayor of Saint Clair. Today I make my first promise to the residents of this Borough.  I promise to work hard for you and live up to the confidence you have placed in me.

Thank You

 

 

 

2005 NEWS

OCTOBER 2005

STEPHEN BOBELLA WRITES SUCCESSFUL GRANT FOR ST CLAIR POLICE DEPARTMENT

 Partnering with the Saint Clair Police Department Stephen Bobella assisted in the completion and submitted the Grant to the Eastern PA EMS Council for an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).  With the assistance of Mr. Bobella the Police Department received the proper training and the unit has been placed into service on the Police Vehicle.  Please take the time to read the information below from The American Heart Association on why an AED is important.

SEPTEMBER 2005

STEPHEN BOBELLA RETURNS FROM 10 DAY DEPLOYMENT IN NEW ORLEANS

Immediately following the worst natural disaster to strike our Country Stephen was deployed to New Orleans as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Health EMS Strike Team.  The Team known as PA EMS Task Force #1 arrived at the largest treatment triage area for the storm at the Louis Armstrong International Airport.  With limited rest Stephen and his Team provided care to 1000's of evacuees and provided Humanitarian aid to those effected by the storm.  The Team completed over 400 Missions related to rescue efforts in New Orleans and found time to have a 1st birthday party for an evacuee who lost everything following the flood. Below is a picture of Stephen and his team meeting with Incident Commander Dr. Everitt Binns

JUNE JULY AND AUGUST 2005

STEPHEN BOBELLA OBTAINS GRANT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON HEART AND STROKE AWARENESS

Partnering with the American Heart Association and the American Stoke Association Stephen received a Grant to hold various public information seminars to community Organizations in the Borough of Saint Clair.  Schuylkill County was deemed as a focus point for a high number of deaths from Heart and stroke related illnesses.  Stephen held these seminars and gave participants helpful information on Heart and stroke related illnesses.  During this time Stephen has provided these programs successfully to over 100 Residents in the Borough of Saint Clair.

 

The American Heart Association’s outlook on using Automated External Defibrillators:

What is an AED?
An AED is a device used to administer an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart.  Built-in computers assess the patient's heart rhythm, judge whether defibrillation is needed, and then administer the shock. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process.

How does an AED work?
A microprocessor inside the defibrillator interprets (analyzes) the victim's heart rhythm through adhesive electrodes (some AED models require you to press an ANALYZE button). The computer analyzes the heart rhythm and advises the operator whether a shock is needed. AEDs advise a shock only to ventricular fibrillation and fast ventricular tachycardia. The electric current is delivered through the victim's chest wall through adhesive electrode pads.

Why are AEDs important?
AEDs are important because they strengthen the Chain of Survival. They can restore a normal heart rhythm in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. New, portable AEDs enable more people to respond to a medical emergency that requires defibrillation. When a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, their chance of survival decreases by 7% to 10% for each minute that passes without defibrillation. AEDs save lives!

Who can use an AED?
Most AEDs are designed to be used by non-medical personnel such as police, firefighters, flight attendants, security guards, and other lay rescuers who have been properly trained. Having more people in the community who can respond to a medical emergency by providing defibrillation will greatly increase sudden cardiac arrest survival rates.

Why does someone having a heart attack need an AED?
When a heart attack becomes a full cardiac arrest, the heart most often goes into uncoordinated electrical activity called fibrillation. The heart twitches ineffectively and can't pump blood. The AED delivers electric current to the heart muscle, momentarily stunning the heart, stopping all activity. This gives the heart an opportunity to resume beating effectively.

Will an AED always resuscitate someone in cardiac arrest?
The AED treats only a heart in ventricular fibrillation (VF), an irregular heart rhythm. In cardiac arrest without VF, the heart doesn't respond to electric currents but needs medications. The victim needs breathing support. AEDs are less successful when the victim has been in cardiac arrest for more than a few minutes, especially if no CPR was provided.

Is an AED safe to use?
An AED is safe to use by anyone who's been trained to operate it. Studies have shown the devices to be 90% sensitive (able 90% of the time to detect a rhythm that should be defibrillated) and 99% specific (able 99% of the time to recommend not shocking when defibrillation is not indicated). Because of the wide variety of situations in which it will typically be used, the AED is designed with multiple safeguards and warnings before any energy is released. The AED is programmed to deliver a shock only when it has detected VF. However, potential dangers are associated with AED use. That's why training — including safety and maintenance — is important.