Being in business for half a century is a big deal in modern day America…even moreso when you’ve spent those 50 years racing against time to save peoples lives. That’s why a recent open house for the team at Edwardsburg Ambulance Service was such a big deal for everyone on hand at the Ontwa Township Hall in that Cass County community.
While he wasn’t able to make the impromptu open house late last month, State Senator John Proos did stop by on Friday with a special tribute signed not only by himself, but also by Gov. Rick Snyder, Congressman Fred Upton and State Rep. Dave Pagel.
Addressing the team’s 50th Anniversary milestone, Sen. Proos of St. Joseph said, “Our first responders are supremely dedicated people who work night and day to save lives and help make Southwest Michigan a great place to live, work and raise a family.” He noted, “The Edwardsburg Ambulance Service is one of the oldest such operations in Michigan, and I am proud to help recognize them for half a century of outstanding service.”
Five decades ago when the service was first launched it actually operated out of a funeral home using a converted hearse as its ambulance. Before the modern day, professionally equipped ambulance prototype rolled onto the scene, officials at Edwardsburg Ambulance admitted that through the years vans or station wagons were frequently employed in the service as rescue vehicles. Today, the team is comprised nearly entirely of paramedics utilizing Advanced Life Support gear in state-of-the-art ambulances.
Sen. Proos cited the community itself for support of the service over the years, saying, “I also want to highlight the great support from the local community, which has ensured that the ambulance service stays up to date with the latest training and equipment.”
That community support has come in the support for millages over the years including the recent renewal of a half mill for operations and wages which was approved August 7th by voters in Ontwa Township 639 to 132 and a quarter mill to support new ambulances which was approved by those same voters 575 to 170. Those tax bills will come on the residents’ winter property tax notices.
Proos presented Jenn Hartzell and Alyssa Cox with the tribute on Friday as shown in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.
