Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Tekoa Community Ambulance Association has two ambulances.
TEKOA - A posted sign warns Tekoa residents of long waits for an ambulance if there aren't more volunteers.
Retired EMT Jim Gordon's signature is on a sign in a store window.
"You could lose your emergency ambulance service. Rosalia ambulance is covering Tekoa because of a lack of volunteers. If you dial (9-1-1), you could be waiting for a minimum of half an hour. In an emergency that is too long. The next closest ambulance is Colfax.
"Please step up. It could be (your) loved one who needs the help. I hope people will step up and volunteer, so we don't lose this valuable service. This is an emergency."
Rosalia-based Whitman County Fire District 7 Fire Chief Bill Tensfield said they are covering ambulance service for Tekoa.
"If it's a short-term thing, we can deal with it," said Tensfield. "(It is) a couple of nights of lost sleep."
Tekoa-based Whitman County Fire District 1 Fire Chief Donovan Chase said the fire department is OK but they need EMTs for the ambulance service, which is under different management.
Tekoa Community Ambulance Association runs two ambulances "entirely with volunteer drivers and emergency medical technician EMTs," states their website.
"Tekoa Community Ambulance Service urgently needs new EMTs and support staff," the website lists. "If you are at least 18 years of age, please call us or speak to any ambulance member to be enrolled in free training! It's a great way to start a new career as an EMT, or to just learn valuable life-saving skills."
To volunteer, people are asked to contact the association by calling 509-284-5324 or visiting 226 S. Ramset Street in Tekoa.
Calls and email to the association by the Whitman County Gazette have not been returned.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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