The John Carroll Area Ambulance Service was started on January 1,1968 under the sponsorship of the John Carroll Area Development Association.  The ambulance service covered Carrolltown Borough, East Carroll Township, and West Carroll Township. The operation of the Ambulance Service was overseen by the Development Association along with a manager hired or appointed by the Development Association. Wayne Kirsch was the first manager. He served from January 1, 1968, until mid-February 1968, when he resigned. Joseph Rosmus was then named Manager and served in this position until June 30,1982 when he became ill.

 

A converted station wagon, purchased from Stevens Funeral Home, was the first vehicle used. This vehicle was equipped with little more than a litter, an oxygen tank, and a fire extinguisher. The personnel were few, with little training, but much dedication.

In 1969 a Cadillac Ambulance was purchased from Patton Fire Company/Ambulance Service. The number of attendants had increased, and all now had Red Cross Advanced First Aid Certification. Dispatching of attendants was done with a single emergency phone located in the home of the Manager.

 

In 1972 a new Chevrolet Van ambulance was purchased to replace the Cadillac. It was the first vehicle of this type in Cambria County to meet the specifications set by the Federal Government, with sufficient head room and working space required to effectively care for a patient. The Service was also the first in Cambria County to establish radio communications on the emergency frequency be-tween the ambulance and the base station, and the ambulance and the hospital. There were now emergency telephones in four different homes for dispatching, with emergency radios being installed. The personnel now consisted of eight attendants with Advanced First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation training and thirteen Emergency Medical Technicians.

 

In 1974 there were emergency telephones in six homes and dispatching was done for ambulance and fire calls in the Carrolltown coverage area.

In 1978 four attendants, Joseph Maurer, Vince Parrish, Joseph Rosmus, and Frank' Rosmus, successfully completed the Paramedic I Course. Joseph Maurer, Joseph

Rosmus, and Frank Rosmus received state certification and became the first Paramedics in Northern Cambria County.

 

On August 9, 1978, the John Carroll Area Ambulance Service became incorporated as a non-profit entity in the state of Pennsylvania. The Service now operated under a nine-member Board of Directors and a Manager. The Board of Directors was elected from among Ambulance Service members residing in Carrolltown Borough, East and West Carroll Townships.

 

In August 1981 the Service received The Volunteer Ambulance Service Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, another first in Northern Cambria County. This certification is given only after very strict requirements are met as to personnel, training, and equipment set by the Department of Health.

 

On February 14, 1981, the Service took delivery of a Ford Modular Type II

Ambulance. John Carroll Area Ambulance Service now had two ambulances in service. The interior of this unit was designed by John Carroll personnel to their own specifications.

 

Up until this time the ambulances had been garaged at the home of Don Platt, at the Gulf Station (now Sharbaugh's Pharmacy), and in the Carrolltown Borough garage (the "old" fire hall). In October 1981 construction of a two-bay garage was begun. This garage was located on Carrolltown Borough property on East Carroll Street and was attached to the borough garage. The Service was stunned and saddened by the death of Joseph Rosmus on July 14, 1982. At this time Tom Rieg was elected manager. In July of 1983 when the new building was completed an Open House was held and the building was dedicated to the memory of Joseph Rosmus.

By January of 1984 the ambulance roster consisted of 30 personnel, including 12 Emergency Medical Technicians, 2 State certified Paramedic I, and 2 State certified Paramedic II technicians.

 

On May 15, 1985 the home based emergency telephones and radios were discontinued and emergency calls were dispatched by radio from Cambria County Control based at the Court House in Ebensburg. Each attendant was supplied with a radio and pager to receive notice of emergency calls. John Carroll Area Ambulance Service was designated as Station 64 under Cambria County Emergency Services.

 

On September 25, 1985 a Search and Recovery Team was added to John Carroll Area Ambulance Service. The trainer for this team was Robert Maurer, a longtime diving instructor.

 

On December 24, 1985, the Service took delivery of a 1986 Wheeled Coach Ambulance which replaced the 1972 Ford Van unit. The Service now has 22 personnel on its roster. In the beginning years, John Carroll Area Ambulance Service was staffed mostly by men, but now the roster is covered by 10 men and 12 women.

 

In March of 1989, the Service purchased a 1988 Ford Type III ambulance to replace the 1981 unit.

 

On July 1, 1989, Miners Hospital began the operation of the ALERT Program. The ALERT unit was an ALS (Advance Life Support) equipped vehicle, staffed by a paramedic. The purpose was to assist area ambulance services with Advance Life Support when needed. There were times when a paramedic for the station responding was not available, therefore the ALERT paramedic provided the coverage to make an ALS response possible. John Carroll Ambulance Service was assisted many times by the ALERT paramedic. The program was ended by Miners Hospital in August 2000.

 

In the summer of 1992 a radio tower was erected near the borough water tower north west of the borough.

The purpose of this tower was for emergency radio and pager reception.

In August 1992, all emergency dispatching, fire, ambulance, and police, was taken over by Cambria County 911.

 

On April 21, 1994, the Service took delivery of a Ford E-350 Type III Medtec Patriot ambulance which replaced the 1986 Ford Van unit.

 

In May of 2000 John Carroll Area Ambulance Service moved into their new station at 239 N. Main St. The 40" x 70" building was erected on a lot purchased from Carrolltown Borough for the price of $1.00. The building houses a 2 bay garage, office, meeting/training room, 2 bunk rooms, kitchen, laundry, and shower facilities. On May 30, 2000, the Service purchased a 2000 Ford F-350 4x4 Custom Type III Wheeled Coach ambulance. This unit replaced the 1988 Ford unit. Credit for the growth and success of John Carroll Area Ambulance Service belongs to each and every man and woman who selflessly gave their time, skills, and talents to help their fellowman from 1968 right up to the present date. Credit is also due to all the citizens in the service area who gave and still give financial support to this service. Many of the people working with the ambulance are also involved in other civic activities such as being active firefighters or members of the Borough Council. In almost every case, the families of the attendants became involved with the service, doing secretarial work, fund raising activities, or just giving up time with their loved one while he/she was on a call. Everyone involved was a hero in his or her own way. One man, Joe Rosmus, was particularly responsible for the rapid advancement from transport service to State Certified Advance Life Support service. In the early 1970's children and adults alike were being entertained by a TV show called Emergency! Every week we watched as two young firefighter/paramedics, Johnny & Roy, saved lives by giving pre-hospital emergency treatment to sick or injured victims while being in radio contact with emergency room doctors. The show was based out of Station 51 of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

It is ironic that when Cambria County assigned station numbers to Fire and EMS stations, Carrolltown Fire Co. was designated as Station 51. Several local children (and probably many nationwide) were inspired by this show and grew up to become firefighters and paramedics.

But while we were viewing this show as "big city" technology, Joe Rosmus, Manager of John Carroll Area Ambulance Service was thinking and planning.

Joe had a vision and a dream that Carrolltown could and would be able to achieve the technology and standards of the finest emergency services anywhere in the country.

Joe kept himself always informed of new techniques, laws, training, and grants available to advance the service. Joe was instrumental in the development of the 155.175 radio frequency used in Cambria County for communication between ambulances and hospitals. His enthusiasm was infectious to those working with him. Joe took all training courses, passed state certification tests, and utilized these skills along with his fellow attendants. As noted previously, John Carroll Area Ambulance Service achieved many "firsts" in Northern Cambria County. This is because Joe Rosmus did not know the meaning of the words "no" or "can't".

 

It was Joe who decided that all attendants would be paid for time spent on calls. He felt that a paycheck would give more people incentive to become involved. The pay at first was something like 25 cents an hour to be on call, and a little more for time

spent on a call. (Then, as now, the incentive was not as much about money, as it was about dedication and community service.) Joe's wife, Betty, worked tirelessly in the background, handling paper work, phone calls, schedules, payroll, and needed errands. Joe & Betty's sons, Frank and Mike also worked in various capacities with the Service. Other families with 2 generations of service to John Carroll Ambulance Service are the Leonard Yeckley, Mary Etta Yeckley, the Parrishs, the Prices, the Platts, and the Burkharts. (Apologies to any family missed).

In January of 2008 when Carrolltown Borough celebrates its 150th year, John Carroll Area Ambulance Service will begin its 40th year of serving the area. In 1968, a weekly schedule was made for the attendants, and they were notified by telephone if there was a call. Now Station 64 is a paid, professional service, staffed 24-7 with a crew of 1 Paramedic and 1 EMT, ready to respond to an emergency at a moment's notice. In most cases, a second crew can respond to any emergencies that should occur while the first unit is out. Both ambulances are state licensed as ALS / IALS (Advance Life Support / Intermediate Life Support) units

 

Unlike the converted station wagon of 1968, these units are equipped with a 12-lead Cardiac Monitor with pulse-ox and capnography capability, a C-Pap machine, Power Pro Stretcher, Striker Stair Chair with stair glides, ALS airway management

equipment, a medication box with ALS cardiac drugs, EMS radios, cell phone, and personal protection equipment. John Carroll Area Ambulance Service still covers

Carrolltown Borough, East and West Carroll Townships, parts of Allegheny Township, and is available if needed to neighboring communities for Mutual Aid. The service is funded by membership drives, donations, and third-party payments by insurance companies of covered patients.

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In May of 2000 John Carroll Area EMS moved into their new station located at 239 North Main Street where it is currently located.

 

On May 30th of 2000 the service was delivered a 2000 Ford F-350 4x4 Custom Type III Wheeled Coach ambulance.

 

In May of 2013 the station was delivered a 2013 Ford F450 4x4 Horton ambulance. The cost of this unit was mostly offset by a Federal Fire Assistance Grant. This unit replaced the 2000 F-350.

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June 2023 the service purchased a Brand New 2023 Ford Transit manufactured by Demers Ambulances. 

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March 2024 - Awarded Intermediate Advanced Life Support by Pennsylvania Deptartment of Health - Bureau of EMS.

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June 2024 - Service purchased a new 2024 Ford E-350 RP90 Medix Ambulance.  

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