EMS History

The Lake Chelan Community Hospital Emergency Medical Services started as a small ambulance association in 1975. At that time, it was a volunteer, basic life support ambulance service created with the help of many prominent community members and a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratiaon.

The Lake Chelan Valley Ambulance Association operated three ambulances - two stationed in Chelan. The first-out unit a 1975 Chevrolet G-30 Wide Side, four-wheel drive. The second was a variety of used, rear wheel-drive vehicles, and the third, stationed in Manson at the fire station, was also a 1975 Chevrolet G-30 Wide Side, four-wheel drive.

The association operated until 1987, when circumstances forced them to shut down operations. At this point, Chelan County Fire District No. 5 and 7, as well as Chelan County Public Hospital District No. 2, met to determine who would provide ambulance service in the future.

At that time, the fire districts could not assume operation of the ambulance service, so the Hospital District agreed to immediately assume operation within the boundary of the hospital district, as well as in part of Douglas County Fire Districts No. 4 and 5.

The hospital district operated the service with little change until 1989, when it was decided the service needed to progress both medically and financially. In September 1989, the hospital district placed a special Emergency Medical Services levy on the election ballot. It passed with a high margin of support.

At the same time, an experienced paramedic was hired to direct and develop the future of the ambulance service, and it was renamed Lake Chelan Valley Emergency Medical Services, a department of the Lake Chelan Community Hospital.

The department has grown since then, becoming a licensed and Verified Paramedic level ALS Ambulance service. Each year, EMT professionals respond to about 750 911 calls, 250 inter-facility transorts, 100 fire standbys and 100 public event standbys.

We also offer community first aid and CPR training, respiratory fit testing, babysitting classes and wellness programs.