Illinois Ambulance Unit Bounces Back with New Volunteers

Mar. 24--CERRO GORDO -- Cerro Gordo Community Ambulance Service was short on volunteers, and its demise seemed imminent.

"We didn't have high hopes about a month ago of being able to continue," said Curt Vulgamott, chairman of the board for the service.

With a lack of volunteers, leaders were prepared to close its doors, after almost 25 years. The service, which covers about 200 square miles in Piatt and Macon counties, had seen its EMT corps fall to just seven, less than half of what is needed.

But a media campaign has brought in about 25 volunteers.

Vulgamott said he is thrilled by the response.

"We feel like we're not being taken for granted anymore."

Vulgamott believes it is important for local residents to be served by local people.

Among those who will begin serving as EMTs in the coming months are a few former volunteers.

Tim Stemple said he had to quit about two years ago because work and family demands made it difficult to devote time to emergency work. But he did not want to see the town lose the service, so he returned to the fold.

Jim "Buck" West, ambulance service coordinator, believes many responded, because the media campaign cleared up misconceptions about what is expected.

"People thought we have a busy schedule," West said. "We don't. People thought there were many messy situations. We don't have many of those." West, who works full time as a paramedic in Decatur, said most calls handled by the Cerro Gordo service involve breathing difficulties, chest pains and falls. The service handles about three calls per week.

Huey Freeman can be reached at 421-6985.

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