Dateline: February 7, 2002

Ambulance facility may be finished by March   

Work continues on the new ambulance facilities on the Medical Center campus, and officials anticipate moving in by the end of the month.

The Donley County Hospital District began work on the 3,600 square foot barn for the Associated Ambulance Authority in September.

“We had to replace the concrete,” district administrator Alan Graham said, “so we lost two months there, but things are going along smoothly.”

The work is progressing steadily, and Graham is optimistic.

 “Right now the men are finishing hanging up the Sheetrock,” Graham said. “Then they will texture, paint, finish electrical and mechanical work, and lay carpet. That all should be done by the end of the month.”

Exterior finish work on the building calls for a brick and stucco veneer that will match the Community Services Building, which was completed last fall. Graham said the ambulance barn was originally intended to have a hipped roof instead of a gable roof, but that idea was cost prohibitive.

“The ambulance barn is intended to house the three current box units,” Graham said, “but four vehicles could easily fit.”

The three current ambulances are in good shape, but in the future, the Ambulance Authority may purchase a fourth vehicle that would save wear and tear on the box units.

“We hope maybe to add a Suburban or some kind of four-wheel-drive emergency response vehicle to respond to calls in rural areas,” Graham said.

When all the work is complete, the barn will house all the equipment with room to spare. Office space is included for the ambulance director and the authority’s billing operations. Ambulance crews will also have space to shower and sleep.