Henrietta, NY, May 25, 2012 — The Henrietta Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc. (HVA) was founded 50 years ago today, on May 25, 1962. The agency announced its celebration and recognition of many years of continuous service to the residents of Henrietta and surrounding communities.

Rich in history, HVA was originally founded to ensure that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) would be based within the town of Henrietta. At that time, it was taking 30-60 minutes for a commercial ambulance to arrive from the city of Rochester. A group of concerned citizens began holding meetings to discuss the formation of a locally based ambulance service. A Certificate of Incorporation was signed on May 25, 1962.

The early days of HVA had only 15 members using a 1951 Buick as an ambulance that was purchased for $595 from a fire department in Syracuse. The original headquarters was located at the corner of East Henrietta & Wright Roads. Nine months later, HVA responded to its first emergency call in February 1963 for a male patient with back pain who was requesting transport to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Since that first call nearly 50 years ago, the agency has experienced tremendous growth with highlights including:

• 1965 – Agency opens its new headquarters at 280 Calkins Rd (the current headquarters remain at that location)
• 1967 – Members are trained in CPR for the first time
• 1969 – 2nd ambulance is purchased
• 1970 – Responds to 1,200 calls/year
• 1976 – Advanced Life Support care introduced
• 1980 – Volunteer membership at an all-time high, 145 members
• 1985 – Operating budget is $100,000/year
• 1990 – Responds to 4,000 calls/year
• 1991 – Ambulance tax district is formed to help cover costs & ensure long-term sustainability
• 1992 – Agency hires first paid employee
• 1993 – Number of available volunteers rapidly declines
• 2001 – Agency has 100 volunteers, 30 employees, budget of $980,000/yr, responds to 4,500 calls/year
• 2004 – Grand opening of agency’s new building/headquarters at 280 Calkins Rd
• 2007 – Agency responds to 4,800 calls/year
• 2009 – Offering free CPR training to residents
• 2010 – Communtiy AED evaluation program
• Present – Fleet consists 6 ambulances, 4 first response vehicles. 5,900 calls/year. 20 full-time employees, 24 part-time employees, and 30 volunteers. Operating budget of $2.9 million

For the complete timeline, visit http://chsmobilehealth.org/about-us/timeline/

“This is a big year for us and we’re proud to share the news with the community. We offer so many great services to the public—everything from free CPR training to a loan closet. All our members receive the best training available so that we can take great care of our patients. And I think this is just the beginning for us. Our goal is to continue to expand our services in the future, offering more and more to the community we serve. I’d encourage everyone to stop in and visit us anytime”, said Chris Murtaugh, Public Information Officer.

CHS Healthcare has provided emergency medical care to the residents of Henrietta, NY and surrounding communities since 1962. The agency responds 24 hours-per-day to over 5,900 requests for service each year with its fleet of 10 emergency vehicles and 70 career and volunteer members. CHS Healthcare is certified to provide the highest possible level of emergency care in the nation, which includes a paramedic response to designated calls. In addition, the agency provides a number of services to the community including a free loan closet for residents (crutches, canes and wheelchairs), complementary blood pressure checks, community CPR classes, and AED training. To learn more about CHS Healthcare and the services it provides, visit www.chsmobilehealth.org, call (585) 334-4190 or visit the headquarters at 280 Calkins Road in Henrietta.