After
the purchase of a 1958 Pontiac hearse for $250, Enterprise Rescue
Squad answered its first call in 1963. Seven members of the
community trained in American Red Cross First Aid volunteered to
staff the fledgling service which was headquartered on Main Street
by Glover Avenue. Over time the service grew and acquired new
ambulances and in 1981 Dr. Andy Kirk put together the Service's
first structured Emergency Medical curriculum and "attendants"
became EMT's providing much better care for the community. After
much fund raising and sweat the squad, in 1994, experienced the joy
of a new building with a beautiful, expansive dayroom complete with
a fireplace, kitchen, communications room, and sleeping quarters for
up to 20 personnel!
The
1990's saw a nation-wide decrease in people willing to volunteer for
many things, ambulance service just one of them. Enterprise was no
exception and, like many volunteer services across the country, saw
the need to begin paying personnel to insure an ambulance was
available at all times. In 1997 Enterprise Rescue Squad became
Enterprise Rescue, Inc. and ceased as a volunteer organization.
Throughout
the years, Enterprise Rescue personnel have entered and won numerous
contests and competitions.
Now, with
ten years as a paid system under its
belt, the service boasts 40
employees- 12 paramedics, 6 Intermediate EMT's, 20 basic EMT's and
two office personnel. Enterprise Rescue operates two ambulances 24/7
and has a third on call during day hours. During 2005 Enterprise
Rescue ran over 3,200 calls of which about 65% were emergent.
Currently this service provides some of the best patient care seen
in the area. The full Advanced Life Support System schedules at
least one paramedic on each unit accompanied by a basic or
intermediate EMT.
Near future goals
are to become a regional training facility for the various rescue
squads and services in Southeast Alabama.
Enterprise Rescue, Inc. PO Box 311441 Enterprise, Alabama 36331 334-347-0333 Emergency- 911