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Historical Timeline of Anna Rescue

Before 1966

Americans, from coast to coast, had little to no access to Emergency Medical Services. Residents of Shelby County in need of these services had 2 choices: they could drive themselves to the hospital or call the local mortician to take them, which would be several hours if not days of waiting to be transported.
1966

Congress passed the National Highway Traffic Safety Act. This legislation standardized EMS training, promoted state enrollment, encouraged community oversight, recommended radio communication and stressed the need for a single emergency number.

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Click on the image above for a history of the Star of Life

1968

Original Charter Members-Charles “Bus” Fridley, Joe Buschur, Harold Egbert, Joe Kendall, Gene Kuch and Fred “Pickle” Carey spent many hours planning and laying the ground work for the start of Anna Rescue Squad.
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Charles "Bus" Fridley
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Joe Kendall
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Joe Buschur
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Gene Kuch
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Harold Egbert
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Fred "Pickle" Carey
1968-1974

Members began to respond, treat, and transport patients using American Red Cross First Aid. Patient transportation was provided by a used 1965 Cadillac hearse that the members bought with their own personal finances.
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1965 Cadillac Hearse
1972

The hearse was stationed at a building owned by Anna Rescue member David Barhorst, which is currently a tax office located two buildings down from the Anna branch of US Bank. This provided all members a central meeting place to respond to calls. Before housing the hearse here, it would bounce around among the homes of the members who were responding during different times.
1974

State of Ohio initiated Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-A) training and required certification to run as a volunteer on a Rescue Squad.
Anna Rescue expanded their membership to include first responders in the villages of Botkins, Kettlersville and McCartyville.

1975

Pagers were first introduced to Anna Rescue Squad. Before that, dispatch would call members on a a specialized phone that was installed in their homes.
Members sold the hearse and purchased their first real ambulance, which was a 1974 Chevrolet Care-O-Van.
Anna Rescue Squad began charging $25 per call to help cover the cost of fuel and maintenance. Before 1975, the squad strictly operated off of donations given by residents and businesses of the community.

1978

Shelby County Commissioners, seeing a need, purchased Anna Rescue Squad and other county squads new ambulances. Members sold the used 1974 Chevrolet Care-O-Van.
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1982

Anna Rescue Squad was granted a 5 year 0.3 mil-operating levy in Franklin, Van Buren, and Dinsmore townships.
In May groundbreaking ceremonies were held to begin construction of our current building located at 203 S. Linden St. in Anna.
1978 Ambulance
1986

Four years after construction began, the interior of the building was finally completed in November. Volunteer work was used to build the entire building and was funded by donations and contracts for the villages and townships that Anna Rescue Squad served.
1987

Voters in Franklin, Van Buren, and Dinsmore townships were asked to renew the 5 yr. 0.3 mil-operating levies.
1988

New ambulance was purchased and was housed in Anna. The other ambulance was painted to look like the new ambulance and moved to Botkins, being housed at the Botkins Fire Department. The territory was divided between Anna and Botkins Members. Anna - A handled the territory South of St. Rt. 274 to Sidney and Anna – B handled territory north of  St. Rt. 274.  The color of  Squad jackets and jumpsuits were changed from Kelly Green to Royal Blue.
1989

Anna Rescue purchased a 1989 Wheeled Coach ambulance to replace the unit stationed in Botkins. The old 1978 unit was sold to Wilson Memorial Hospital for $4,000.
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1989 Ambulance
1990-1992

JoAnn Koenig was one of the first members receive a Paramedic certification.
A cardiac monitor/ defibrillator was purchased and put in service on the Anna – B unit to match the one on Anna - A unit. New jumpsuits were purchased for all the members. Fire Departments started to automatically respond to all accidents to provide protection for the patients and squad members.
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JoAnn Koenig
1993

Anna Rescue began the process of writing their first Standard Operating Procedures that were used to assure the highest level of care to our community.
Anna Rescue celebrated 25 years of service & also recognized as the first Volunteer Rescue Squad in the State of Ohio

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1995

State of Ohio places into effect a new EMT – B Curriculum allowing EMTs to expand their scope of practice.
1996

Cardiac monitors were upgraded to LifePak 10 model.

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LifePak 10
1997

Anna Rescue purchased two 1997 Ford/Horton ambulances to replace the old units that were approaching 10 years old. Contract and call monies paid for the units.
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1997 Ambulance
2000

The cardiac monitor on Anna – A was replaced with a new cardiac monitor that has many diagnostic features into one unit. The LifePak 12 Allows paramedics to better treat heart patient.
A new Medical Protocol, under the direction of Dr. Scott Savage, was put into effect allowing EMTs & Paramedics to provide more aggressive care to patients.
Anna Rescue serves Dinsmore, Franklin, & VanBuren Townships in Shelby County and also Pusheta Township in Auglaize County totaling Approximately 110 square miles – the largest EMS District in the areas with 491 patients & 400+ runs in 1999. These patients were mostly transported to Wilson Memorial, Joint Township, St. Rita’s, & Lima Memorial Hospitals.
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LifePak 12
2007

Anna Rescue expanded their fleet to three trucks with the purchase of a 2007 Horton International ambulance.
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2007 Ambulance
2008

Anna Rescue Squad purchased the connecting lot west of the Squad building. In 2010, the Squad contracted the lot out to be paved and is now the current parking lot.
2010

Anna Rescue Squad initiated its first annual Squad sponsored blood drive with Community Blood Center in July. Through this annual event Anna Rescue has achieved a 2012 & 2013 Leading the Way Gold Partner Recognition and partnerships in the Lifesaving Ambassador Club.
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Leading the Way Awards
2012
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Anna Rescue station located at 203 S Linden Avenue in Anna sustained heavy damage when they suffered a complete loss of the building’s interior due to a structure fire.
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2013

Anna Rescue obtained an additional three square miles of jurisdiction on the northwest territory bringing coverage to a total of 113 square miles
Anna Rescue started paid staffing from the hours of 6am-6pm Monday-Friday
Anna Rescue brought on a full time Department Administrator to handle day-to-day department operations
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2014

Anna Rescue purchased a Lucas device using the Sheets grant. This device is used to provide effective compressions during CPR operations.





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2015

Anna Rescue began upgrading their monitoring equipment to the LIfePak 15. This resource provides EMS personnel with enhanced monitoring options to better serve the community, which expanded to provide EMS services to Jackson Township and the village of Jackson Center.





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2016

Anna Rescue began upgrading their aging fleet. The newest purchase is a 2016 Braun Ambulance.
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