September 17, 2025– After careful monitoring and much deliberation by our Administrative Team and Board of Directors, we have decided to discontinue our non-emergency van service, effective September 30, 2025.

Our van service was implemented in 1998 after recognizing a growing need for non-emergency transportation in the Centre Region. In the last 5 years, our transport volume has decreased significantly, and we are no longer able to financially support the service.

We have valued our patients and families who have trusted their care to our incredible non-emergency van attendants.

Our staff is available by phone at (814) 231-8988, if there are any questions, or need for assistance in transitioning to an alternative transportation service.

Thank you,

Centre LifeLink EMS Administration and Board of Directors

September 10, 2025- Three first responders in Centre County were presented with an award Wednesday from the State College Sunshine Rotary Club.

Vincent Agusto of the Alpha Fire Company, Kaitlyn Alters of Centre Life Link EMS and Jonathan Fellin of the Boalsburg Fire Company all won the Rotary’s Four Way Test Award.

The Four-Way Test Award, presented to local emergency service volunteers, recognizes local fire and ambulance volunteers within the State College area whose daily volunteer activities epitomize the “Four-Way Test”.

The “Four-Way Test” encompasses a test of the things we think, say or do, and include:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Watch the three recipients receive their awards here.

July 1, 2025—Centre LifeLink EMS is now an accredited EMS Education Institute under the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS. This will allow Centre LifeLink to offer EMS certification courses, such as Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), entirely in-house. After offering EMT courses onsite for many years, while partnering with neighboring training centers, Centre LifeLink will be offering its first in-house EMT course this fall, beginning August 26th.

Ambulance services across Pennsylvania and the nation continue to face critical staffing shortages and inadequate reimbursement rates. By offering this course multiple times each year, Centre LifeLink aims to be part of the solution. With a strong emphasis on high-quality, hands-on training and education, Centre LifeLink is committed to preparing the next generation of skilled, professional EMS providers.

The EMT course is offered loosely around Penn State’s academic calendar (spring, summer, and fall semesters) and is held at Centre LifeLink’s Main Station on Puddintown Road in State College. Registration for the Fall EMT class is currently open and is expected to fill up quickly. More information can be found at www.centrelifelink.com or by emailing Program Director Brandon McMinn at bmcminn@centrelifelink.com.

Executive Director, Scott Rawson (fourth from left), receives EMS Week proclamation at the Commissioners Meeting on May 15th with other area EMS agencies

May 16, 2015—National EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week will take place from May 18^th to May 24th. EMS Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services on medicine’s front-line. This year’s EMS Week theme is “We care. For Everyone.”

Centre LifeLink EMS is proud of the dedication and commitment our staff and volunteers show our community and patients each day. We encourage our community members to join us in thanking our paramedics, EMTs, and non-emergency transport staff for all that they do. Some suggestions on how to show your support include:

Become a member of Centre LifeLink: Members of Centre LifeLink pay no out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance services. This benefit is unlimited and also covers lift-assists. Membership funds are used to offset the cost of replacing life-saving medical equipment on our ambulances. You can sign up for memberships online: https://admin.eservicestech.com/p/centrelifelink/membership, or contact our office at (814) 237-8163.

Take a community CPR class: Learn how to save a life! Bystanders of cardiac events play a crucial role in the successful outcome of our cardiac arrest patients. By learning how to initiate CPR and use an AED, you’re helping to make our community a safer place. Our classes differ by level and are open to the community monthly. Classes can be found online: https://admin.eservicestech.com/p/centrelifelink/events

Make a donation: Centre LifeLink EMS is a non-profit organization funded by annual memberships, donations, and billable ambulance services. We do NOT receive any tax support for our operations. You can make a tax-deductible donation to our service online: https://admin.eservicestech.com/p/centrelifelink/donate

Or by mail:          Centre LifeLink EMS

PO Box 272

State College, PA 16804

Any questions on EMS Week, or Centre LifeLink EMS can be directed to Marketing Manager Lauren Shurgalla, by email Lshurgalla@centrelifelink.com

Most people do not realize that Centre LifeLink is NOT supported by municipal tax dollars; we are completely self-funded. As a non-profit organization, we rely, in part, on donations to purchase life-saving medical equipment, as well as to maintain daily operations.

This year, donations made through Centre Gives will be used to fund our long-term financial goals, such as capital improvements and the cost of replacing equipment.

To make your donation to Centre LifeLink through Centre Gives, click here.

We are now enrolling students in our Fall 2025 Phlebotomy program. Applications are open and being accepted online here.

For questions or more information on our Phlebotomy program, please go here, or email training@centrelifelink.com

September 24, 2024—Centre LifeLink EMS has received $175,000 in state funding to offset the cost of a new ambulance, which totals over $260,000 This project was financed, in part, by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The funding was facilitated by Representative Scott Conklin.

The new ambulance will replace an ambulance from a 2009 that was remounted in 2016, and used a total of 15 years. With seven ambulances in rotation, and an emergency response average of 20 calls per day, one LifeLink ambulance needs replaced annually. Centre LifeLink EMS is a 501c3 non-profit organization, that relies, in part, on donations and memberships from our community, as well as programs such as this one recommended by Representative Conklin’s office, to make capital purchases.

For more information on Centre LifeLink EMS, its services, funding, and operations, please visit www.centrelifelink.com

The 2025 Centre LifeLink EMS membership campaign is officially under way.

Each fall, Centre Region residents are encouraged to enroll as a Centre LifeLink member, ensuring them that they will have no out-of-pocket expenses for unlimited emergency ambulance service provided by Centre LifeLink EMS. Memberships are available now and residents in Centre LifeLink’s coverage area will receive a membership brochure with information on how to participate.

Members can save an average of $900 for basic life support calls and more than $1,600 for advanced life support paramedic service — these are the average costs nonmembers pay. Individual memberships cost $75 and family memberships cost $95 for a one-year period beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2025.

Centre LifeLink depends on revenues generated from the membership drive, as well as donations, to assure that personnel will be there with state-of-the-art equipment when residents need them. Funds raised through the 2025 Membership Drive will help offset the cost of replacing life-saving equipment.

Residents of the Centre Region will receive 2025 membership brochures in the mail, and registration is also open online at www.centrelifelink.com.