Who is the Staunton Area Ambulance Service?

Staunton Area Ambulance Service was established in 1977 as a non-profit organization, and was based at Community Memorial Hospital, Staunton, Illinois. In 1985 the service became an Intermediate Life Support service. In July of 1990 the service upgraded to the Defibrillator level service. In December 1991 the service moved into our new E.M.S. facility. The building is complete with a three bay garage, dormitories, offices, a classroom,and a kitchen. On January 30, 1999 the service upgrade one of its unit to Advance Life Support ("Paramedic"). On July 3, 1999 the service upgraded its second unit to Advanced Life Support, and is now running full time Advanced Life Support.

Currently we provide service to four fire protection districts. They are: New Douglas, Olive (Livingston-Williamson), Worden, and Staunton Fire Protection Districts. With a total area coverage of near 145 square miles, and a population base of 13,000 residents, the service handles an average of 2 calls for service daily.

Quality Care- Through Quality Control

As an active member of Anderson Hospital Emergency Medical Services System (Maryville, Illinois), the service maintains a high standard of of advanced patient care through extensive training and direct medical control throughout the patient care cycle.

Whenever a call for help is recieved by our 911 dispatchers, the EMS care chain of events begins. Necessary information for our response is taken by the dispatcher, who then contacts the ambulance crew by radio. Also, medically trained "first responders" are dispatched to provide initial care before the ambulance arrives. While en-route to the scene, the crew establishes radio contact with Anderson Hospital, who then stands by for further assistance. After arrival at the scene, patient care continues with courteous, prompt, and thorough treatment. Information regarding the emergency is relayed by radio to the EMS staff at Anderson Hospital for further evaluation and medical treatment orders if necessary. Our patient is then "packaged" and placed into the ambulance for transport to the hospital of their choice. However, in certain situations where extended transport time may be detrimental to patient's well-being, the patient may be transported to a closer medical facility for stabilization. Patient care continues throughout the trip to the hospital. Basic care as well as IV therapy, cardiac monitoring, advanced airway management and defibrillation are all components of care available from the staff of the Staunton Area Ambulance Service. After arrival at the ER patient care is turned over to the hospital staff. Necessary paperwork is completed and the ambulance is cleaned and restock. Then we are ready for the next call for help.

Training And Certification

Through the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS and Highway Safety, the Staunton Area Ambulance Service recieves its certification to function as an Advanced Life Support Provider.

Training for EMT-B(basic life support)personnel is conducted locally by staff instructors. EMT-I (Intermediate Life Support) and EMT-P (Advanced Life Support) training is conducted at Anderson Hospital which is an I.D.P.H. approved resource hospital for EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic programs.

For further information about the Staunton Area Ambulance Service, or training programs call the business office at 618-635-3290.

The Staunton Area Ambulance Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer