Ambulance Service “One-of-a-Kind”

WAITSBURG - On Jan- uary 12, 1970 "hellip; a small group of Waitsburg people, after recognizing a need, met together to see if an ambulance service could be started in Waitsburg. It could, it was, and it still con- tinues to be a vital part of our community, serving Waits- burg and surrounding areas. We are very proud of the Waitsburg Ambulance Ser- vice and the volunteers that keep it going." Those words are taken from a president's letter written by Waitsburg Ambulance Service (WAS) Board Chairman Jack Otterson and, though they were written 20 years ago, they still hold true.

Waitsburg Ambulance Service -- a nonprofit 501c3 dependent largely on volun- teer effort - has been provid- ing service to the area for 43 years. It stands alone as the last volunteer, non-profit, charitable pre-hospital emer- gency transport service in the State of Washington. Its success lies in a dedicated board, loyal volunteers and a supportive and generous community. Because of that support the Service had nev- er needed to take out a loan to cover operating expenses - until last year.

From its inception WAS has been a community effort. Roy Leid called that first meeting in 1970 to form the initial board which was made up of representatives from many organizations. The original board included Don Hinchliffe (Commer- cial Club), Jack Otterson (Lions Club), King Will (City Council), Harold Bloor (Fire Dept.), Mae Weaver (Progressive Club), Roberta Broom (Denova Club), Dr. Roger Hevel and Joan Hays. Jack Otterson (Board Chair for 43 years), Joan Hays (Secretary/Treasurer for 43 years) and Dr. Roger Hevel remain on the board today.

The Service was founded on less than a shoestring budget - in fact the ini- tial treasury amount was $0.00. Columbia County Ambulance Service leased WAS their older ambulance - a "cantankerous" 1958 Chevrolet station wagon - for $30.00 a month for two years. The community stepped up, and by April of 1970 donations and memorials brought the bank balance to an impressive $1515.54.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Duck- worth donated an orthopedic stretcher; Larry Broom donated storage cabinets; and Dr. Hevel ordered a new re- suscitator and basic supplies. WAS made the decision to be up and running by the Days of Real Sport that year so it could be present at the track during the races. The Service has maintained that tradition, at no charge, for all the races since.

WAS has continued to provide free service for com- munity events including: home high school and middle school football games, home cross country meets, 5th grade fun runs, Tour de Walla Walla bicycle races, Cycle Oregon, Whitman College bicycle races, the American Red Cross Fun Run and National Night Out.

In 1972 a subscription plan - now referred to as a membership - was adopted, with dues of $10. The pro- gram provides transportation - at no charge - to anyone living in the household of a subscriber. Today that same membership is still available for only $35 per family.

In 1973, after consider- able discussion, the Board opted to purchase a new Stoner Western ambulance for $11,600, to be financed through the local bank over two years. Several Board members cosigned person­ally for the loan. Jack Otter­son and Bob Hulce drove the new ambulance back from Portland and spent several hours driving it around town demonstrating its various features. "I'll never for­get how excited the people were," said Board Member Nancy Otterson. "People lined the streets and clapped to see the new ambulance. It was like a parade."

The community once again stepped forward pro­viding donations that al­lowed WAS to pay off the two-year loan in only four months. Most of the funds arrived in donations of $1 to $10. One farmer donated $500, one family donated estate jewelry and more fam­ilies purchased $10 subscrip­tions. Green Giant erased the final debt with a check for $1,500.

Over the years the ser­vice has received sizeable donations from the Lions Club, KP Lodge, Columbia REA, Walla Walla County Sheriff's Association, Paci­ficCorp and Pacific Power, Northwest Grain Growers, Commercial Club, Mason's Lodge, McGregor Com­pany, Dayl Graves as well as other businesses and in­dividuals. These, along with the membership fees and memorials, keep the service afloat. Approximately one- third of the WAS operating costs are covered by EMS funds the service receives by contracting with the Fire Department and the City.

"The annual membership drive is extremely important to our funding," said Board Member Jim Leid. Nancy Otterson commented on the fact that the membership program "allows people to be a part of the service, in­stead of outside it."

WAS currently owns a building on Preston Avenue and two well-equipped am­bulances. The service owns a Jaws of Life and has de­fibrillitors in each of their ambulances. In addition to their presence at community events and providing emer­gency transport, the service offers a wide range of com­munity education classes - including some that qualify as continuing education for health care providers. WAS is manned by three paid EMTs and approximately ten volunteers.

Richard Naumann is Chief of Operations and has over 46 years experience in the medical field, which in­cludes training as a military combat medic. Naumann spent eight years as the lead instructor for the Walla Wal­la Community College EMT program and is responsible for all training in Waitsburg and Columbia County. He has been with the Service for 16 years.

Sharon Brooks is Dep­uty Chief of Operations, holds several certifications and is an Advanced Emer­gency Medical Technician (AEMT). Brooks has been with WAS for 12 years and handles the data manage­ment and billing.

Will Potolichio is also Deputy Chief of Operations and has been with the service for nine years. Potolichio holds several certifications and oversees building and vehicle maintenance.

Over the years, training requirements have become more stringent and equip­ment more sophisticated. In 1971 WAS made 33 runs. In 2012 that number was 236; this year they have made 229 runs as of Dec. 10. Main­taining a building, staff and two vehicles is a burden that required the service to take out a loan to cover operating costs for the first time ever in December of 2012.

Secretary/Treasurer Joan Hays notes that memorial donations have fallen off in recent years, which has had an impact. "I would love to see our staff receive a pay raise," said Hays. "They've been at the same pay for years now. And they all work many more hours than they're actually paid for."

"We just don't want to lose the service," said Jack Otterson.

"We need the support," said Leid. "There would be no way to start again from ground zero."

The Board hopes that awareness of the services WAS provides to the com­munity will once again gain them the support they've seen in the past. Memorials, donations and memberships are necessary to keep the service afloat. Donations or memorials can be sent to WAS, PO Box 242, Waits­burg. Membership applica­tions can be picked up at the Ambulance Service office at 756 Preston Avenue. Ap­plications are also available in brochures at City Hall, Coppei Coffee or Waitsburg Hardware.