EmergyCare has received $15,300 from Warren County and the Warren County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council to purchase Baby Pods, specialized transport devices designated to safely carry newborns during ambulance transfers.

The new equipment will help EmergyCare transport infants to hospitals outside Warren County, a need that has grown since Warren General Hospital closed its Labor and Delivery unit earlier this year.

In early January, Warren General Hospital announced it was permanently closing its inpatient Labor and Delivery services. Since then, expectant mothers in Warren County have had to travel to neighboring communities for maternity care. The nearest hospitals offering those services include UPMC Chautauqua, about 20 miles from Warren General Hospital, Allegheny Health Network St. Vincent Hospital in Erie, approximately 62 miles away and UPMC Hamot Magee-Women’s Hospital, also in Erie, about 67 miles from Warren.

According to EmergyCare, the closure created what it described as a “critical gap in neonatal transport capabilities,” making specialized equipment for newborn transfers increasingly important.

According to Advanced Healthcare Technologies, Baby Pods incorporate technology, design and materials inspired by Formula One race cars to help keep newborns secure, protected and warm during transport.

The Warren County EMS Council secured funding for the equipment through Warren County government and support from local community organizations.

“The collaboration between the Warren EMS Council, EmergyCare, Warren County government and community partners demonstrates our shared commitment to ensuring the highest level of care for newborns and their families,” EmergyCare President and Executive Director Dave Basnak said in a Warren County Government Facebook post. “This equipment will help provide safe, reliable transport during some of the most critical moments in a child’s life.”