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There is a possibility that Erie will soon have one of the Neosho County ambulances stationed here. According to a report from the office of the County Commissioners Wednesday of this week, they have been working with the Erie Volunteer Firemen and have agreed that if the firemen can work out the details and are willing to man the ambulance that the one that is currently stationed in Parsons will be brought back into Neosho County and stationed at Erie. The county will furnish the vehicle and equipment and pay for all major repairs to the ambulance as well as pay a monthly subsidy, the amount of which has yet to be determined. The persons in charge will receive money collected for fees to use for service to the vehicle and small expenses.

At the present time the members of the Volunteer Fire Department are studying the matter to see if they will have enough help and can work out a system so that an ambulance can be stationed here. Several of the firemen have currently completed training that gives them the necessary qualifications for ambulance attendants.

A public meeting for the residents of Erie and surrounding area will be held in the courthouse meeting room at 7:30 a.m., April 20, to discuss an ambulance being stationed in Erie to service this area.

Six members of the Erie Volunteer Fire Department have completed the necessary training to serve as ambulance attendants but more volunteers are needed. Drivers for the vehicle do not need any special training but must have a valid driver's license. This meeting is open to the public and anyone in the are, not just residents of Erie, who is interested, is urged to attend.

If enough interest is shown a training course will be held for additional volunteers so more person will be qualified as attendants.

A meeting was held April 20 at the Erie courthouse for interested persons on the progress and needs towards bringing a volunteer ambulance service to Erie and this area of the county.

The project, being sponsored by Erie's Police and Volunteer Fire departments, was whole-heartedly supported by the 17 local citizens who attended.

There is a definite need for more volunteers if the service is to become an effective service to the community.

The second meeting of the Erie Volunteer Ambulance Service was held May 4 at the courthouse. Thirty-six persons have committed themselves as drivers or attendants.

To be an attendant, a person must have completed the Red Cross Standard and Advanced First Aid courses.

The Emergency Care Unit met Tuesday, May 22. An organizational committee headed by Rex Bohrer was formed to work out the scheduling for ambulance service.

The following people have signed up to take the training and man the ambulance when training has been completed, or work in other capacities for the volunteer service.

Persons signed up are Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Buntin, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Bohrer, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Lock, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mildfelt, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pitts, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Kleibrink, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Autry. Mr. and Ms. Herman Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Dahmer, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sands, Mr. and Mrs. George Bartholomew, Mr. and Mrs. Max Gough, Jack McKinney, Neal Trumbull, R. E. Yockey, Harold Heaton, John Nepote, David Harris, Everett Shields, Charles Hartong, John Phelps, Larry Simmons, Norval Taylor, Thomas Leatherman, Rev. Fred Jordan, and Virgil Sexton.

The Emergency Care Unit met Tuesday, June 19, to formulate more plans for the volunteer ambulance service. Nineteen volunteers have completed the Standard and Advanced Red Cross Training enabling them to be attendants. The remaining volunteers will be drivers.

The ambulance has arrived in Erie and is being checked over and equipped with first aid supplies. The unit hopes to be in service by the end of July.

Rex Bohrer has been elected chairman of the Emergency Care Unit. Jerry Mildfelt, Mona Pitts, Larry Sands and Chuck Dahmer have been appointed to an executive committee, Ann Kleibrink is secretary, and Norval Taylor is treasurer.

Women participating in the Emergency Care program are asking the help of others. They need volunteer baby sitters when they are called out on the emergency vehicle.

Anyone who could or would help the program in this way is asked to contact Rex Bohrer, president, or Mrs. Ed Kleibrink.

The Erie Emergency Care Unit is now in operation.

The unit, composed wholly of volunteers, began operation Thursday morning of last week and will provide ambulance service for the community.

Rex Bohrer, chairman of the organization, reported Wednesday that 19 volunteers have qualified as ambulance attendants and there are five others who will serve as drivers. In addition, several have offered their services to serve as baby sitters when women members are called.

Calls for the service are being handled through the office of Neosho County Sheriff David Kern. The number is 244-3243. Calls to the sheriff's office are relayed to the proper person by use of a duty roster of volunteers on file at the office.

The ambulance will be housed in the new Erie Fire Station when the building is completed.

In addition to Bohrer, officers of the volunteer group are Mrs. Ed Kleibrink, secretary; and Norval Taylor, treasurer. An advisory board is composed of Chuck Dahmer, Larry Sands, Mrs. Paul Pitts, John Nepote, Jerry Mildfelt, and Bohrer.