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Upper Moreland officials report new ambulance in service, staffing pressures and a recent arson sentencing
Summary
Fire Chief Ed Glassman reported that the suspect in the JG Transmissions fire was apprehended and sentenced to 8 to 16 years, and SARS Captain Grant Rounds said a new ambulance has been placed in service at the Willow Grove station while lead times for new ambulances remain about two years; officials also noted an Active Shooter tabletop exercise and EMS Week events.
Upper Moreland Township public safety officials used the committee’s May 11 meeting to report operational updates including a criminal sentencing, interagency exercises, and emergency medical service capacity notes.
Fire Chief Ed Glassman told the committee that the suspect in the JG Transmissions fire incident was caught by the Upper Moreland Police Department and has been sentenced to 8 to 16 years in prison. Glassman also listed recent community engagements — a Board of Education administration building opening, Little League Opening Day and a YMCA Healthy Kids event — and said the fire department participated in an Active Shooter tabletop exercise with the Police Department and the County.
SARS Captain Grant Rounds said a new ambulance has been equipped and placed in service at the Willow Grove station and that current lead time for a new ambulance is about two years. Rounds thanked the Township for the use of Station 35B during asbestos remediation and remodeling at the Hatboro station, and commended Paramedic David Brierley and Police Officer Peston Moyer for climbing onto a steep roof to prevent a juvenile from jumping until additional help arrived. He also noted that staffing issues remain a priority and are a recognized challenge across agencies.
Police Chief Scott Bendig briefly noted department community activity in April, including a Drug Take Back and a Food Drive at the Giant Supermarket on York Road. The committee also noted that EMS Week runs May 17–23 with the 2026 theme “Improving Outcomes Together.”
No formal actions related to these updates were recorded in the minutes; the items were entered as monthly reports and operational updates.
