by Theresa Dardanell
Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company
One of the questions I asked the administrative members of the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company was, “Why do you volunteer?”
Some of the responses were, “It lets me help other people,” “It gives me a great feeling,” and “Volunteering is in our blood.”
There are currently sixty-two members that serve in an operational, social, or administrative capacity. Operational members run the ambulance calls, while the social and administrative members take care of the fundraising and the business aspects of the organization.
Because there is always a need for more Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), and ambulance drivers, the company plans a mentoring program for new recruits. Free training is provided right here in Frederick County for anyone who is at least sixteen years old. The process begins with the application that is available on the Company website at emmitsburgems.net, or you can stop by the station and complete an application. After the application is accepted, training begins with the Frederick County “Gear Up” class, in which trainees learn CPR and how to put on the gear and also visit the 911 center. The final steps to become certified are a hazmat class, along with other EMT or EMR classes.
Currently, Bingo is the only fundraiser that supports the Company, evidence of extraordinary community support. Large crowds join in the fun on Wednesday afternoons and Friday evenings. Because payouts are based on the number of people who attend, the jackpot can be as large as $750 on Wednesdays and up to $5,000 for the progressive jackpot, along with a guaranteed jackpot of $1,000 on Fridays. Company President Mary Lou Little said that money from additional 50/50 drawings is donated to local non-profit organizations “…as a way to give back to the community for all of the support they give us.”
The Emmitsburg Ambulance Company has been in operation since 1946. They were a part of the Fire Department until 1986, when they became a separate company and moved to South Seton Avenue.
In 2007, they moved to 17701 Creamery Road, their current location. They are equipped with two ambulances and a utility vehicle. Their mission statement is: “The Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company is dedicated to providing the Emmitsburg community and surrounding areas with professional pre-hospital and medical services. The Company is committed to providing quality care in a timely manner with a highly trained and certified staff.”
Their record of safety is impressive: Serving the Emmitsburg and surrounding community since 1946 with a 97.7 percent success rate, a two minute average career response time (four minute volunteer response), 100 percent EMT BLS certified operational members with an estimated 1,100 calls per year.
Operation Officers are: Acting Chief Lisa Eichelberger and Sergeants, Beth Ruppel, John Ruppel, and Brandon Murdorf.
Administrative Officers are: President Mary Lou Little; Vice President Eric Stackhouse; Secretary Vicki Long; Assistant Secretary Linda Miller; Treasurer Pam Bolin; Assistant Treasurer Beth Ruppel; and Directors, Bob Dinterman, Pam Ellison, Ed Little, and Donna Miller.
The website provides additional contact information for membership inquiries, social hall reservations, and Bingo.
Members of the Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company.
