Dear Western Pennsylvania EMS Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of Nora Jane Helfrich on October 10, 2023. Nora was a pillar in the EMS community, and her loss is deeply felt by all of us at Innovative Public Safety and the broader public safety community. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues at Tri-Community South EMS.

Nora's professional journey in EMS was nothing short of extraordinary. She held every conceivable position at Tri-Community South EMS, from volunteer to Director. Nora broke barriers when she was named director in October 2000, a rare feat for a woman in a male-dominated field. Her leadership was instrumental in elevating the standards and practices at Tri-Community South EMS.

Under Nora's guidance, Tri-Community South became the first EMS system in Allegheny County to be granted accreditation by the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) in April 2006. This accreditation was renewed multiple times, testifying to the consistent quality and excellence that Nora instilled in the organization.

Nora's contributions to EMS were widely recognized. She received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ambulance Service of the Year by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC) in 2007. Just before her retirement in 2021, she was honored with the Dr. George Moerkirk Memorial Contribution to EMS Award. Most recently, in September 2023, she received the Sugar and Mac Fine Memorial EMS Leadership Award.

Nora’s legacy is a beacon for females entering the public safety field. Throughout her 42-year career, she demonstrated the power of listening, accountability, and resilience. She brushed off scrutiny and overcame challenges to implement impactful and actionable systems in EMS, not just for Tri-Community South but for the broader community.

Nora Jane Helfrich leaves behind a professional legacy that will continue to inspire and guide us all. Her contributions to EMS in Western Pennsylvania will not be forgotten, and her impact will be felt for years to come.

A more in-depth obituary including funeral arrangements is available at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Arboretum’s website.

With deepest sympathies,

Stephen Norcup and Jeff Gooch - IPS