Tri Community South honored with Upper St. Clair proclamation
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Representatives of Tri Community South EMS – including director Nora Helfrich, holding the proclamation – are congratulated by Commissioner Ronald Pardini.
Maddie Nolen reminds audience members that Upper St. Clair Performing Arts' presentation of "Smokey Joe's Cafe" starts May 13.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Members of the Upper St. Clair High School boys basketball team and head coach Danny Holzer are congratulated by Commissioner Todd Burlingame.
Members of the Upper St. Clair High School girls swimming team and their coaches are congratulated by Commissioner Robert Orchowski.
Members of the Upper St. Clair High School boys swimming team and their coaches are congratulated by Commissioner Robert Orchowski.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
From left, Reshma Gudla, Sophia Shi and Maddie Nolen, members of the Upper St. Clair High School speech and debate team, join coach Ben Watson in being congratulated by Commissioner Dante Plutko Jr., far right.
Former Commissioner Rex Waller, left, is congralated by Mark Christie, president of the Upper St. Clair Township Board of Commissioners.
A 54-year-resident of Upper St. Clair, Commissioner Ronald Pardini required the services of Tri Community South EMS, on behalf of a family member, in September.
“I couldn’t have been more pleased,” he said. “They were so professional, so caring, so concerned and it just made me feel wonderful that they are part of this township.”
During Monday’s meeting of township commissioners, Pardini presented the 44-year-old ambulance service with a proclamation recognizing May 16-22 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Upper St. Clair.
“It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical providers for their invaluable direct in-person care,” the proclamation states, “and in particular, Tri Community South EMS director Nora Helfrich and her dedicated and highly skilled team.”
Helfrich, a registered nurse, has led the organization since 2000. She previously had served as a volunteer, part-time employee, full-time employee and supervisor of support services.
Along with Upper St. Clair, Tri Community South also serves Bethel Park and South Park Township. The three municipalities have a combined population of about 65,000 within 33.5 square miles.
The theme of this year’s Emergency Medical Services Week is “Caring for Our Community.”
“Over the last year, the pandemic has given people a small glimpse of the vital role of EMS professionals,” Tri Community South paramedic supervisor John Bower wrote in information provided to The Almanac.
“The sacrifice and dedication of the EMTs (emergency medical technicians) and paramedics has rightfully earned them the admiration and gratitude in our communities.”
On behalf of the organization, he thanked the emergency service professionals.
“We appreciate the time they have spent away from their families,” he wrote. “They work in a stressful environment, at times being exposed to COVID multiple times a day while taking care of and supporting the residents in the communities we serve.”
Upper St. Clair commissioners also recognized other individuals and groups:
- Maddie Nolen, an Upper St. Clair High School senior, for her win at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Tournament in the Humorous Interpretation category;
- The Upper St. Clair High School Speech and Debate Team for placing first in the Sweepstakes Championship at the state tournament;
- Members of the high school boys basketball team for their WPIAL championship;
- Amanda Aidar, Kaitlyn Connors, Taylor Connors and Abby Rutkowski of the high school girls swim team for their first-place finishes at the WPIAL championships;
- The boys swim team for its WPIAL first-place overall finish, and members Josh Matheny, Ganesh Sivaramakrishnan, Jason Zhang, Ryan Senchyshak, Daniel Wang and Ethan Neal for their individual wins at the regional and state levels.
Matheny, a senior, was acknowledged as qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials, to be held in June in Omaha, Neb.
Former Commissioner Rex Waller, who resigned in March because of moving out of the township, also was recognized for his service to the community.