Patterson Family Foundation Awards Grant for New Ambulance in Anderson County

GARNETT, KS — Anderson County Hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has added a new ambulance to its fleet thanks to a Rural EMS Program grant for $194,450, awarded by the Patterson Family Foundation.

Anderson County Hospital’s Board of Trustees accepted the grant on behalf of Anderson County EMS in November and helped finalize the purchase.

The new ambulance, a 2016 multi-use unit with only 25,000 miles, arrived onsite in December but required licensing and additional set-up before going into operation in mid-January. It replaces another 2016 unit with over 250,000 miles used primarily for inter-facility transfers.

“We’re grateful to the Patterson Family Foundation for making the acquisition of this new ambulance possible,” said Troy Armstrong, director of Anderson County EMS, on behalf of Anderson County Hospital and the Trustees.

“Our department is committed to ensuring the highest quality emergency medical response for the citizens of our rural communities and for those just passing through,” said Armstrong. “The new multiuse ambulance is mechanically reliable and includes several enhanced features that allow for effective and efficient delivery of care, with added safety for patients and our technicians.”

The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri.

The Foundation’s Rural EMS Program was a competitive grant to fund equipment, protective gear, training and certification, and/or operational expenses needed by EMS and first responder teams within the philanthropic catchment. 

With the new ambulance in operation, Anderson County Hospital’s Board of Trustees will donate the department’s retired ambulance to Neosho County Community College (NCCC) for use in their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training program. Anderson County EMS hosts the hands-on EMT courses in Garnett for students enrolled at NCCC’s Ottawa campus, and this vehicle will serve as a critical training tool.

“I’m thrilled that our retired ambulance will benefit area training programs and support the development of skilled EMTs,” said Armstrong. “In addition to being used for hands-on instruction, the training ambulance will store the program’s equipment and supplies and easily can be moved for courses located in Chanute or elsewhere, so it will be put to good use.”

Pictured with the new ambulance are Anderson County EMS team members (from left) Brandon Stafford, EMT-B, Ashli Gavel, Paramedic, Gabriel Mason, Paramedic, and Robert Bailey, A-EMT.Troy Armstrong demonstrates added safety features, including power-assistance for the on-board oxygen tank and stretcher, along with locking mechanisms that fully secure the stretcher while en route.Troy Armstrong demonstrates added safety features, including power-assistance for the on-board oxygen tank and stretcher, along with locking mechanisms that fully secure the stretcher while en route.