Published: May 09, 2008 02:11 pm         

Fountain Fire Department purchases own ambulance

FOUNTAIN, W.Va. - Beginning Feb. 29, 2008, Valley Medical started doing only transport business and discountinued 911 calls. This left the communities of Fountain, Ridgeville, Headsville and Knobley Road without an ambulance service provider.

The Fountain Fire Department has purchased an ambulance for these areas. Some funding came through the Ambulance Authority from the excess tax levy, however, additional funds must be raised. The medical service currently has $20,000 worth of supplies and equipment and Valley Medical donated a monitor, which saved the new company $10,000.

The ambulance is equipped for Advance Life Support and the state will mandate an ALS 12-lead cardiac monitor in 2009, at an estimated cost of $22,000. Each member of the crew is state certified and will have continuous training and state inspections. At present, the new company has 37 members, including two paramedics and one in training, 11 EMTs and six in class for EMT.

All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to Fountain Ruritan, P.O. Box 1445, Keyser, WV 26726.

The Ruritan will hold a chicken dinner Saturday, May 10, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the club and proceeds will benefit the Ambulance Fund. A silent auction also will be held and anyone wanting to donate auction items may call Evelyn Johnson-Smith, (304) 788-0372, or Betty Mallow, (304) 788-1927, to arrange pick-up.