Updates from MESA – Spring 2026
Be Prepared, Save a Life: Signs of Heart Attack
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and the most common cause of heart attacks. However, a heart attack doesn’t always look like the dramatic “chest clutching” moment seen on television. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and when to get help is life-saving knowledge.
What to look for:
- Chest Discomfort – Most people who have a heart attack feel discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and then returns. It may feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Upper Body Pain – Symptoms also can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of Breath – This can happen with or without chest discomfort.
- Other Symptoms – Other possible signs to watch for include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, profound fatigue, or an unusually rapid or irregular heartbeat.
If you or someone nearby exhibits these signs, do not wait. CALL 911 immediately. Minutes matter.
Thank You for Your Support in 2025
At MESA, we pride ourselves on our service to you and our community. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional emergency medical response, and we are grateful for your support!
Our 2025 performance and impact at-a-glance:
- Average Dispatch to Response Time: 01:21 minutes
- Average Dispatch to On-Scene Time: 08:00 minutes
- Total Dispatches (assignment to a call): 7,158
- MESA Member Municipalities: 5,851
- Mutual Aid Municipalities: 1,307
- Patient Contacts (assessments of a person): 6,009
Annual Fee Payments Due April 10
To maintain our high-quality operation and services, MESA assesses an annual fee to property owners. The funding ensures that when an emergency happens, we have the staff and equipment ready to respond 24/7.
Annual fee bills for 2026 were mailed in mid-February. Payment is due by April 10, 2026.
To save time, you can pay online using the account number of your bill by visiting the Pay Bill page on mesalancasterpa.gov and clicking “pay online.”
