You Can Count On
the day-to-day operations. Mastandrea has
been with WHEMS and Forest Hills Rescue 8
since 1997 and grew up in the area. WHEMS
employs 12 paramedics and 15 EMTs, most
of whom are local residents.
Mastandrea and the other employees
function under the guidance of an
11-member, volunteer Board of Directors
consisting of local residents, municipal
appointed representatives and retired
emergency responders. The board meets
monthly to discuss and review various issues
that arise, financial matters and general
business practices. The current elected
president of the Board of Directors is David
Nicholas, who has been involved with the
organization since the early 1970s as one of
the original organizers of FHCR8.
“With changes in the EMS laws, health
care reform and changes in the insurance
industry, WHEMS has faced a rough couple
of years, as have all emergency services
throughout Pennsylvani