Police, fire and rescue reports highlight call volumes, staffing gaps and costly ambulance lead times

Police, fire and volunteer rescue leaders told the Upper Moreland Public Health & Safety Committee on May 11 that call volumes remain high and that staffing and equipment pressures are constraining service.

Police Chief Scott Bendig summarized April operations, saying, “In April, we had 2,029 calls for service.” He told commissioners the department recorded 97 reported crimes, 65 arrests, 67 traffic crashes, 609 traffic stops that produced 319 citations and 193 bus-patrol violations. Bendig also described a recent arrest: on April 17 a subject was taken into custody in connection with an October 2025 shooting at Blair Mill Village East after interviews, ballistic analysis and search warrants identified a resident believed responsible; police recovered additional drug-related contraband during that arrest.

Chief Bendig also described a joint drug take-back and food drive that produced substantial community donations: “we were very fortunate to fill six patrol cars with food donations,” and the department collected $502 in cash, $665 in gift cards for the Willow Grove Baptist food pantry, 36 pounds of medications for safe disposal and 117 pounds of collected drug evidence that were then disposed of properly.

Fire Chief Ed Glassman presented the fire department’s April totals: 82 calls for the month and 390 year-to-date, an average response time of 4 minutes 12 seconds, and fees collected totaling $31,451. Glassman noted the arrest and sentencing in the JG Transmissions arson case, saying the suspect was sentenced to “8 to 16 years,” and described the department’s participation in regional active-shooter exercises.

Grant Rounds of the Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad outlined ambulance service figures and workforce challenges. “For Upper Moreland Township, we had 279 calls for service,” he said, adding that about 65%—roughly 180—resulted in patient transports, most to Abington Hospital and others to CHOP, King of Prussia, Holy Redeemer and Doylestown. Rounds said his crews placed a new ambulance in service at the Willow Grove station and that equipping a new unit costs about $450,000, with current manufacturer lead times of roughly two years. He also reported three full-time paramedic vacancies and described broader statewide EMS staffing and funding pressures.

All three reports were moved and seconded for approval during the meeting and were carried by voice with no objections recorded.

What happens next: the committee’s approvals clear routine monthly oversight items; staff and department leaders will continue to track staffing levels, vehicle procurement timelines and community outreach efforts such as future drug take-back events.