History of Northern Berks Emergency Medical Services

The idea of forming an ambulance association in Leesport was originated by John L. Kramer and Raymond Keefer in the fall of 1959. Recognizing the growing need for emergency medical care within the community, many dedicated individuals throughout the area came together to establish what would eventually become Northern Berks EMS .

In March of 1960, the organization officially received its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the name The Schuylkill Valley Ambulance Association of Leesport, Pennsylvania. By the late fall of 1960, the organization’s first Cadillac ambulance was housed in a partially constructed building located on land donated by the Borough of Leesport. From the very beginning, the association received tremendous support from the residents of Leesport and the surrounding communities. As demand for emergency medical services rapidly increased, a second ambulance was purchased in 1962 to meet the needs of the growing service area.

Over the following decades, the organization continued to evolve alongside the changing landscape of emergency medical services. In 1984, an addition was constructed at the current station to house the former Northcentral Berks Paramedics. This paramedic program was developed through the cooperation of several local Basic Life Support agencies that recognized the need for advanced pre-hospital emergency care within the region. The paramedic service provided coverage throughout the Schuylkill Valley, Hamburg, Muhlenberg, and Bethel ambulance territories.

As emergency medical services continued to modernize, partnerships between organizations became increasingly important. In 1996, the organizations formally merged, creating Schuylkill Valley Emergency Medical Services, an organization capable of delivering both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) services to Leesport and the surrounding communities.

A major milestone in the organization’s history occurred on May 1, 2017, when Schuylkill Valley EMS merged with Blandon Community Ambulance. Following the merger, the organization adopted the name Northern Berks EMS as its DBA. This partnership strengthened emergency medical coverage throughout Northern Berks County and unified two organizations that shared the same commitment to service, professionalism, and community-focused care.

Today, Northern Berks EMS continues to proudly serve the residents of Northern Berks County from stations located in Leesport and Blandon. The organization has grown into a modern regional EMS provider offering Advanced Life Support, Basic Life Support, community outreach programs, tactical EMS support, specialized training, and public education initiatives. 

As EMS enters 2026, agencies across Pennsylvania and throughout the nation face significant challenges. Rising operational costs, reimbursement shortfalls, staffing shortages, increasing call volumes, mental health demands on first responders, and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining qualified EMS professionals continue to place pressure on emergency medical systems. Despite these obstacles, Northern Berks EMS remains committed to moving forward and adapting to meet the needs of the community.

The organization’s foundation continues to be built upon the values that have guided it for decades: Community, Care, and Compassion. Northern Berks EMS understands that emergency medical services are about far more than transportation and medical treatment — they are about serving people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Through dedication to patient care, support for first responders, investment in training and innovation, and a commitment to community partnerships, Northern Berks EMS continues to honor the vision established by its founders in 1959 while preparing for the future of emergency medical services