The Pequea Valley Fire Department (PVFD) is making its dreams a reality.

Formed as a consolidation of Kinzer Fire Company and Gordonville Fire and EMS in 2023, the department has long been hoping to move its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training in-house.

That idea came to fruition last year, when the department graduated its first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class that was trained in-house.

"Prior to that, we had been under another training institute," said Abbey Beiler, EMS education coordinator at PVFD. "Myself, with some others on the leadership team, we took about nine months to write all the policies and procedures."

Its first class of 23 students graduated earlier this year. Many have already starting working as either a volunteer, part-time or full-time EMT, some even within PVFD. The department had assistance from New Holland EMS in starting its program; Beiler noted the strength and success of New Holland's EMT program.

"I have a contact over there that helped us with some of that, as well," she said. "Then the state had to come out and evaluate our clinical site, and then everything had to go up through the Bureau of EMS for final approval."

The department is preparing for its 2027 classes. The application is open through Sunday, Oct. 18. Interviews will be held in the following weeks, and selection notifications will be sent out by Saturday, Nov. 21. Orientation night will be Friday, Dec. 4, and the first night of classes will be Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Limited to 25 students, Beiler explained that the application process is very selective. Many EMS companies in Lancaster County do not have in-house EMT training, so the department gets applicants from all over the county.

"Our goal is to support our community," she said. "But we did have people outside our community last year that came and had a very successful class."

Once classes begin, they will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Classes are projected to end by the start of June 2027. There is a cost to register, but there are opportunities to be reimbursed for the classes if successful students then work with PVFD.

The classes are a mix of certifications, training and field work with PVFD and other neighboring companies.

"They have to obtain 10 patient contacts by running on the ambulance and doing an assessment and stuff like that," Beiler explained. "They learn basic skills like CPR and first aid, but then more advanced skills such as medication administration and assistant ALS in running cardiac arrest."

Registration forms can be found by searching for "Pequea Valley Fire Department" on Facebook. More information on the program can also be obtained by emailing abeiler@pvfd40.com.

PVFD's primary EMS response area covers 44 square miles across Leacock Township, Paradise Township, East Lampeter Township and Upper Leacock Township. The fire department also provides service to Salisbury Township; both departments also provide mutual aid to neighboring agencies.

The station is located at 3204 Vigilant St., Gordonville. Classes take place at the station.

"I've never heard anybody regret taking an EMT class, even if they don't use it in everyday practice," Beiler said. "We have providers that have been running with us for years and continue to run with us, and it's always good to get a new set of blood in there as well."