About Us
What is EMS?
Emergency Medical Services, or EMS, is a system of pre-hospital clinicians and first responders who respond to emergency 911 calls, accidents, disasters, acts of terrorism, and any other emergency endangering human life. EMS works in tandem with other public safety partners such as police and fire departments to protect the citizens living in the communities we serve.
Dispatcher
All calls for Emergency Medical Services go through Butler County or Beaver County 911. The dispatcher will facilitate the flow of information between the caller and the EMS Crew and provide instructions prior to the arrival of the medical crew.
EMS
In addition to being Cranberry Township’s officially designated 911 Emergency Medical Service, CTEMS fulfills its mission to promote health and safety in our community through its multiple community programs. In 2025, CTEMS answered almost 5,000 calls for emergency medical service and transport.
Police
CTEMS works closely with many local police departments to provide emergency medical services. CTEMS also provides lifesaving training for Cranberry Township’s police department, including CPR, Stop the Bleed, and other courses.
Fire
CTEMS also provides on-site support to several local fire departments. Many fire emergencies will also need emergency medical services. CTEMS partners with local fire departments to provide lifesaving medical services until EMS personnel arrive on site.
Who We Are
Cranberry Township EMS is a full-time, independent, professionally staffed nonprofit organization.
Our mission is to preserve life and promote health and safety in our community.
This encompasses the immediate medical care of every individual and the community as a whole through emergency preparedness, disaster response, and planning for mass-casualty incidents.
However, we offer more unique programs than a standard EMS service. We also support the community through public health training, such as CPR, car seat safety checks, wellness checks, and more. To learn more about these services, please see our calendar of events.
We are financed by a combination of reimbursement from health insurance, direct patient billing, and charitable donations. As we are not a tax-funded organization, we can only continue to provide vital, life-saving services with the financial support of the community. Please consider donating.
Fast Facts
Our History
We have been serving the Cranberry Township community since 1969, when the Volunteer Fire Company formed the Cranberry Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps. At this time, patient care was limited to pick up and rush transports to the nearest hospital. Over the years, the sophistication of patient care has expanded greatly, and prehospital care has transformed into what it is today: highly trained medical personnel capable of performing life-saving interventions and providing critical, immediate medical care before reaching the hospital.
Over the years, CTEMS has grown with the needs of the community, shifting from an all-volunteer staff to a paid professional service staffed by EMTs and Paramedics, with volunteers still on staff. In 2011, we officially became Cranberry Township Emergency Medical Service.
Our Leadership and Administrative Staff
CTEMS Leadership:
CTEMS Board of Directors
- Doug Lucas, Vice President
- Rich Cashdollar, Treasurer
- Don Scelza, Secretary
- Fred Peterson, At Large
- Allan Klapper, MD, At Large
- Sheryle Long, At Large
- Ed Ritz, At Large
- Pete Ekstam, At Large
- Jeff Widdowson, At Large
Service Areas
Our coverage areas include Cranberry Township and the southeast portion of New Sewickley, from the PA Turnpike south along Brunner Road and straight down New Sewickley to Woodcroft Road.
