History of American Legion Post No. 108 Ambulance

American Legion Post No. 108 Ambulance Service was formed by the members of Amador Post No. 108, American Legion looking for a community service project back in 1929. The ambulance service was operated by volunteer members of Amador Post 108. The first ambulance was a 1929 Studebaker President 8 (shown in photo below).

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In 1933 American Legion Post No. 108 began an "Ambulance Ticket" campaign to raise money for the ambulance service and help support the services. The first Ambulance Ticket was sold for $3.00.

It was around the early 1970's that the ambulance service personnel were paid for their service.

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Paramedic programs were established as a county option in California in 1971. Los Angeles County became the first county in California with paramedics. The popular television show Emergency! demonstrated the potential for improved pre-hospital care. Paramedic programs began to be established in many counties in California.

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Before 1980, the responsibility for emergency medical services (EMS) and disaster medical preparedness was spread among a variety of state departments. It became clear that a more unified approach to emergency and disaster medical services was needed. The Emergency Medical Services System and Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act created the Emergency Medical Services Authority in 1980.

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In 1983 the first EMT-II's were introduced and the first time that Limited Advance Life Support was provided to the community. It wasn't until the mid 1980's that the first Paramedics came aboard and full Advanced Life Support (ALS) was provided to the citizens of Amador County.

 

In 1995, the ambulance company was formed into a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation. This was done so the ambulance company could have a steady management team and not be run off the floor of the Post membership. Since then, the ambulance company has grown and continues to improve services with state of the art equipment.

 

On July 1, 2005 American Legion Post No. 108 Ambulance Service expanded its operations into Calaveras County. Almost doubling the size of its operation. In 2017 we started our Critical Care Transport Paramedic program. Our paramedics were certified by BCCTP. Today American Legion Post No. 108 Ambulance Service employs over 80 Paramedics, EMT's and Registered Nurses.