​​​Avoca & Rural EMS

Avoca EMS was formed as  the result of an inspiration of Opal Pechan, who approached 2 citizens about the need of medical attention and transportation to hospitals.  In October 1961, 12 people from the village met to carry out these needs.  They are Knute Ostern, Don Parrell, Roy Sailing, Harry Powell, Harold Pechan, John Marshall, Reverend Russell Miller, Edwin Wardell, Laverne Wardell and Robert Pechan, all of whom donated $10 toward expenses needed to organize a rescue squad. To get the rescue squad up and running, they also needed members willing to be trained in First Aid, an "Ambulance" and equipment, and through the generosity of the public The Avoca Rescue Squad was rendered in May of 1964.  With 18 members and a 1960 Dodge station wagon emergency medical care was a reality in Avoca.  

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In May of 1997 Avoca received a brand new type  III Marque Ambulance with all the bells and whistles replacing the "Van-bulance" we had for many years.  It was a well needed replacement with more room for the crew, patient and the ever increasing diagnostic equipment.  At that time the EMT-Basic course was 120 hours and we had 11 members.  Marjorie Kienitz was the EMS Chief at the time and gave many years of service to the community. 

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The new millennium brought many changes to Avoca EMS, more skills, more training, CLIA waivers and NIMS.  We could finally check blood sugar levels and give shots for patients with hypo-glycaemia as basics.  No more treating everything as hyper-glycaemia.  Public Access Defibrillators were hitting the scene in shopping malls, schools and airliners and we purchased a 12 lead EKG/Defibrillator allowing identification of STEMI and telemetry just like in the TV series Emergency .  In November of 2013 Avoca received it's second type III ambulance from Arrow Ambulance.  To compliment the new "Rig" we purchased a Stryker Power Cot.  No more lifting the patient to extend the wheels. 

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Avoca EMS has had several Chiefs since it's inception beginning with Robert Pechan, Marjorie Kienitz, Patti Willey, Pam Jenson, and the current chief Brent Cole.  Sadly in 2015 Marjorie Kienitz passed away.