The YouTube link below will take you to a more informative visual and verbal narrative version of this important story. This link is also on our web-site, so feel free to share it with your constituents and other elected officials. My thanks our EMS Manager Melanie Starz and all who assisted with this important effort and video project.
Web Link
When I started with the organization in 1981 we were only required to provide First Aid and CPR, we saved very few people and only provided basic care.
Then in 1982, the Fire District formally trained all personnel, on-shift, as EMT’s. I recall daily riding into Headquarters on the tail board of Squad 2 with George Miller and John Horning to attend class.
Shown in the photo below are many of our early paramedics and instructors who’s younger faces you may recognize. This was one of several Fire District supported classes run through Foothill College and Stanford Hospital.
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In addition, I’ve included a news story from the first day, and call, when we went into service, twenty five years ago. My thanks to Brian Dickson, Mark Pitenger, Chris Zand, Greg Auger, George Miller and others who led the way!
Chief Harold Schapelhouman
