2027 Membership Clarification to Municipal Membership Partners

Western Berks Ambulance Association Provides Clarification Regarding
2027 Annual Fund Drive Mailing to all of our Municipal Membership Residents

Western Berks Ambulance Association recognizes recent concerns and would like to clarify the distinction between municipal membership and voluntary
donations.

Western Berks Ambulance Association would like to address questions from Municipal Membership residents about the organization’s recent 2027 Annual
Fund Drive mailing.

We understand the importance of clear, transparent communication with the communities we serve and appreciate the opportunity to explain the mailing’s
purpose and address any confusion.

Understanding Municipal Membership 

West Reading * Wyomissing * Spring * Sinking Spring * South Heidelberg * Lower Heidelberg * Wernersville * Robesonia * Womelsdorf

These municipalities participate in Western Berks Ambulance Association’s municipal membership program, which provides eligible residents with benefits
through the municipality’s membership arrangement. Over the years, we have taken the opportunity to place articles in the municipalities’ newsletters to
educate residents about Western Berks and the Membership Program.

*We are a non-profit service, not a municipal service. We are not funded like Fire and Police departments, but we still must provide 24/7/365 coverage to
all our residents.

* We bill insurance, but insurance reimbursement does not cover the full cost of providing our services.

Your municipality’s membership contribution helps bridge that gap, and voluntary donations provide additional support for our crews, ambulances,
and lifesaving equipment.

The 2027 Annual Fund Drive mailing sent to our Municipal Partners was not intended to solicit the purchase of an additional ambulance membership.
It was a request for a voluntary charitable donation to support Western Berks Ambulance Association’s ongoing emergency medical services and
organizational needs.

These voluntary contributions support essential needs, including lifesaving equipment, ambulance fleet updates, EMS training, and community programs.

Why the Mailing Included Both Donation and Membership Options

In preparing the 2027 Annual Fund Drive, Western Berks Ambulance Association sought to develop a cost-effective marketing campaign that would communicate
consistently with residents throughout its service area while minimizing production and printing expenses.

To accomplish this, one primary informational marketing piece was created for distribution to all municipalities served by Western Berks.

Because municipal membership arrangements differ throughout our service area, the general informational piece included both “Donate” and “Join Membership”
in its “Take Action” section.

Recognizing the importance of identifying the specific request being made to each household, Western Berks also developed two separate response cards:

• Membership Response Card:
  Specifically designed for residents being asked to enroll in an individual ambulance membership.

• Donation Response Card:
  Specifically designed for residents being asked to consider making a voluntary charitable contribution.

The appropriate response card was included based on the recipient’s municipality of residence.

Members of municipalities received the donation-specific response card, which prominently featured the message “Your Donation Makes a Difference”
and was identified as the “2027 Annual Fund Drive.”

The card included suggested donation amounts and instructions for making a voluntary contribution.

The intent of this approach was to maintain a consistent, cost-effective informational campaign while providing a municipality-specific request that
distinguished donations from membership enrollment.

Addressing the Confusion

Although we developed separate response cards to clarify the intended request, we recognize that the general informational piece’s inclusion of both “Donate”
and “Join Membership” may have created uncertainty for some municipal partner residents.

We apologize for any confusion and want to reassure residents that the mailing was not intended to suggest that an additional individual
membership purchase was necessary.

We value the relationship we have built with all of our member municipalities and their residents and recognize our responsibility to clearly communicate
the distinction between municipal membership benefits and requests for additional voluntary support.

What If a Resident Submitted a Membership Payment?

Western Berks Ambulance Association is committed to ensuring that residents who may have misunderstood the purpose of the mailing have their concerns
addressed.

If a member municipality resident submitted a payment designated for an individual ambulance membership in response to the mailing, Western Berks
will contact that individual directly to explain the municipal membership arrangement.

The resident will then be offered the option to:

• Receive a return of the payment, or

• Voluntarily designate the payment as a charitable donation
  to Western Berks Ambulance Association.

Any decision to apply the payment as a donation will be made by the resident.

Residents with questions about a payment or the distinction between municipal membership and voluntary donations are also encouraged to contact Western
Berks directly.

Our Commitment to the Communities We Serve

For 65 years, Western Berks Ambulance Association has remained dedicated to providing compassionate, professional, and reliable emergency medical
services to our communities.

As a community-supported nonprofit organization, we recognize the importance of both responsible financial stewardship and transparent communication.

Our approach to the 2027 Annual Fund Drive was intended to reduce marketing and printing costs while allowing more resources to remain focused on
supporting our emergency medical services.

We also recognize that clarity is essential, and we appreciate feedback from residents of all member municipalities. We will use this experience to help
ensure that future fundraising communications more clearly distinguish between municipal membership arrangements, individual membership
opportunities, and voluntary charitable contributions.

Western Berks Ambulance Association sincerely thanks our Member municipalities for their ongoing partnership and their residents for their continued
confidence, understanding, and support.

Membership Benefits

For members with insurance:

• Coverage of copays and deductibles for medically necessary emergency
  ambulance transports provided by WBEMS

For members without insurance:

• Medically necessary emergency ambulance transports provided by WBEMS are
  covered in full

For all members:

• 3 lift assists per membership year
• Reduced member rates for wheelchair transportation
• Reduced member rates for mental health transports

What Is a Lift Assist?

A lift assist is when WBEMS responds to help someone who has fallen or cannot
safely get up on their own and does not need ambulance transportation.

Your membership includes 3 lift assists per membership year.
After the 3 included lift assists have been used,
each additional lift assist will be billed at $105.

A lift assist does not include routine help with:

• Getting in or out of the house
• Using stairs
• Getting in or out of a vehicle
• Other routine mobility assistance

What’s Not Covered?

Membership does not cover:

• Non-emergency or scheduled ambulance transports
• Wheelchair transportation — members receive a reduced rate
• Mental health transports — members receive a reduced rate
• Transports to doctors’ offices
• Non-emergency inter-facility transports
• Transportation for convenience or personal preference
• Routine or non-emergency mobility assistance
• Lift assists beyond the 3 included per membership year — additional lift
  assists are $105 each
• For insured members; insurance denials, non-covered services, or other
  balances not specifically included in the membership
• Evaluation or treatment when you are not transported

Evaluation or Treatment Without Transport

When WBEMS responds and evaluates you, including taking vital signs and
assessing your condition, a response and evaluation fee applies when you are
not transported.

Additional charges may apply for:

• Cardiac monitoring
• Blood sugar testing
• IV placement
• Oral glucose administration
• Medical command consultation
• Time on scene beyond the first 15 minutes
• Other treatment or procedures

We remain committed to serving our communities when it matters most—24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Western Berks Ambulance Association

Compassion. Community. Commitment.

2506 Belmont Avenue, West Lawn, PA 19609

email info@wbems.org

www.wbems.org