05/23/2026
It is an honor for Elfinwild VFC to be recognized as pioneers in Emergency Medical Services. We were educated and mentored by some of the true legends in EMS, whose dedication and leadership helped shape EMS into what it is today — not only throughout the Commonwealth, but across the world.
The first Volunteer Paramedics at Elfinwild VFC in May 1973:
Dennis Alsing
Barbara Kennedy
Fred Lewis
Jeff Naylor
Howard Abel Sr.
Don Staub
Howard Abel, Jr.
We are also proud of our current certified members who continue that legacy of service and excellence:
John Cunningham, Paramedic
Brett Fadgen, PHRN
Greg Hester, EMT
John Hill, Paramedic
John Logan, Paramedic
Sydney McBurney, EMT
Sarah Neill, Paramedic
Craig Pearson, Paramedic
Mark Povich, EMR
Rob Skertich, Paramedic
In the fall of 2003, EMS West (then known as EMSI) published a newsletter with articles about "The Pioneers of EMS". During EMS Week 2026, we will be reproducing these articles about leaders, legends, and visionaries. Our thanks to Camille Downing for the original articles. Check back throughout the week to learn more about the origins of EMS in our region.
As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Don Benson spent his lifetime medically maintaining his patients’ vital systems, from airways to pulmonary care to ventilation. It’s this anesthesiology training that led him to his lifelong interest and involvement in the care of critically ill patients – both in the operating room and on the streets.
As early as his days in medical school in the 1960s, Dr. Benson had a keen understanding and need to take what he was learning every day in the hospital setting and transferring to the EMS care that he knew in his heart was a real possibility.
As a teenager, Dr. Benson began a long and fulfilling career when, as a Boy Scout, he learned basic water rescue. This sparked an interest that led to him attending waterfront school where he learned the basics of manual respiration and mouth-to mouth respiration.
When he attended Georgetown University School of Medicine, CPR was just starting to be introduced in the operating room. Dr Benson’s earlier training in this area coupled with his newfound use in the OR led him to a revelation that the basics of anesthesiology in a hospital could be transferred to saving lives out of the hospital setting.
This led Dr. Benson to Dr. Safar who offered critical care anesthesiology residency at the University of Pittsburgh.
While working with Dr. Safar, Dr Benson became involved with the Freedom House project. He helped develop a curriculum that eventually led to the basic standards for what today’s EMT training is. He also became involved with Dr. Safar and Jerry Espsito’s establishment of the production of ambulances based on the Freedom House standards he was instrumental in developing.
After serving several years in active duty in the Air Force, Dr. Benson returned to the Freedom House in 1971 where he was asked to develop a more advanced paramedic program in Allegheny County. He turned to the Volunteer Fire Departments and started working with the Elfinwild Fire Department, where he trained them in advanced medical work, administering IVs and using defibrillators. There, he worked closely with Dr. Jesse Weigle, director of the Emergency Department at North Hills Passavant Hospital and Ralph Obenoff, chief of the Elfinwild Fire Department, to develop the first ALS suburban volunteer service where firemen were trained as paramedics.
In this picture, Dr. Benson is third from the right.
