Culver Union Township Emergency Medical Service

The Culver-Union Township Ambulance Service was established in 1979

1979- June 21 - The Emergency Medical Service - Three Years Later

Culver - It was in a general meeting three years ago that Ron Gleason, the Union Township trustee, told the residents of the town and townships about the changes in the ambulance service that would be required by January of 1980. Since the group at the meeting felt that an area service was a necessity, it was decided that the Culver - Union Township Emergency Medical Service should be formed.

The remainder of that year was busy for the small group of people who were responsible for bringing together the manpower and resources that would get the program underway. Two way radios were needed for communications between the base station and the emergency medical technicians (E.M.T.’s) The community responded, and by September, money began to come in from groups throughout the community.

Volunteers for training as E.M.T.’s were recruited during the summer and fall with the result that the first group of ten men and women started class work in February of 1977. Other classes were to follow, and the ranks of the E.M.T.’s grew.

It was in September of 1977 that the E M.T's began to assume their duties under the auspices of the Bonine Funeral Home. At first, the group worked only during the night, but as their numbers increased they began to cover the day shift as well. Under the guidance and leadership of Jim Bonine, the confidence of the E.M.T's grew. Soon the blare of the radio during the day, or the ring of the telephone in the middle of the night no longer brought that instant of doubt as it had on that first call. We were in business - in the first six month of operation, the E.M.T's answered 107 calls with Mr. Bonine.

We were aware of the fact that a new ambulance would be needed, and we knew that part of the cost would be borne by the state and federal government. The big question was whether or not the community could raise their share of the twenty-five thousand dollar vehicle.

The answer was a resounding yes. Starting in October of 1978, the people began to respond to the call. Farm groups, clubs, sewing circles, industries and individuals gave... and gave... and gave. The net result was that by early June this year, the community had given nearly nineteen thousand dollars - enough to pay for our share of the ambulance and the equipment to put in it.

It may sound as though all of the problems have been solved, but such is not the case. Although the big financial tests are now behind us, the service still needs people, and always will.

These service needs people who can serve as ambulance drivers - no special license is necessary, only a desire to serve. Dispatchers are also needed -no experience is needed, we will be happy to train you.

If you are interested in either postition as a volunteer, then contact Jack Easterday, or Ron Gleason both would be delighted to hear from you. Please remember that this is our service - yours and mine - its up to us to make it work - - June 21, 1979

1979 - Jul 5 - EMS Ambulance Garage Now Being Constructed

Culver - Volunteers Al Triplet, John Elliott, Don __s, Bill Snyder, Glen Witmarsh, Bob Napier and _ Eskridge have prepared ground for the pouring of the _lings for the new ambulance garage on the east of the Town Hall, eningineering services for project are being donated by John Middleton, Triplet and Elliott will be working other volunteers to aid in the construction of the garage

Jean Triplet and Rosalie Bonine provided cold drinks and eats to the hardworking crew

Read successive issues of the Culver Citizen and keep pace with the construction.

The new Culver - Union Twp., Ambulance will probably be delivered this week. - July 5, 1979

Ambulance garage on the side of the Town Hall is being built by volunteers. City Clerk, Marizetta Kenney, is viewing the ground breaking.

Congratulations Culver Dream Becomes A Reality

Following months of volunteered time, work and money the Culver - Union Township EMS Ambulance has arrived. The new $23,832 vehile was delivered on Wednesday. July 11.

Although residents hope they never have to put it to use for themselves , it’s comforting to know it’ available, should the need arise. Manned (or is it personed) by volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians, the ambulance will serve the town and surrounding areas 24 hours a day.

It was all made possible by generous donations of organizations, clubs. businesses, industries and individuals. Its stands as a shinging example of what can be accomplished with teamwork.

Volunteers are still needed to help with the construction of the garage to house the ambulance. Meanwhile, it will be kept at the fire station - July 19, 1979

Left to right in front of C ulver Union Townships new ambulance are Ron Gleason, Union Twp. Trustee; EMT’s Babs Kamrow, Sue Flora. Glen Whitmarsh, Sharon Coffey, Art Birk, In-service training director for EMT’s; Jean Williams Town Board member; Jack Easterday,EMT Chairman and Mike Kriech, Salesman for Ambulance Sales-Ambulance Service Co. of Indianapolis. Mike presented the keys to Jack and Jean.

Pictured hard at worlk when cement was poured for the foundation of the new ambulance garge are left to right - Charlie King, John Elliot and his three sons, Mike, Fred and Kyle; Gary Triplet. The construction is being done by volunteers. If you can help contact John Elliot or Alvin Triplet. - - July 26, 1979

1979 - Aug 20 - EMT’s Take Over Ambulance Program

Culver - On October 1, the Emergency Medical Technicians (a volunteer group) will take over the responsibilities of operating the Culver-Union Township Ambulance Service.

The telephone number for requesting an ambulance will be as of October 1st. 842-2233

During the working hours of Culver’s Clerk's office, the town clerk and the deputy clerk will man the ambulance phone. Otherwise Volunteer telephone - radio dispatchers, operating out of their homes, will man the ambulance telephone service.

Additional volunteer telephone-radio dispatchers are needed to spread out the number of days and hours any one volunteer would have to serve each week. The hours for the volunteers would be from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. The following morning and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; 12 noon to 8 a.m. the following morning Thursdays; and 12 noon on Saturday to 8 a.m. the following Monday.

Those willing to volunteer please phone Jack Easterday (842-2553) or Sue Flora (842-2238)

For years Culver and Union Township and surrounding townships, have received excellent auxiliary service from Bonine Funeral Home.

Jim Bonine and his wife Rosalie are applauded, not only for their years of devotion to maintaining excellent ambulance service but for their aid in the preparations in the change over of ambulance service under their direction to an ambulance service directed and operated by E.M.T’s.

And many thanks are extended to the Citizens and organizations of Culver and Union Township for their initial and continuing monetary support to the Culver-Union Township Ambulance Service. - Aug 30, 1979

Culver - Wallace Helber, left, and James Scott of Culver are shown raising partition inside the town hall where the EMT training room, of f ice and storage space will be located This is adjacent to the construction site of the new ambulance garage. These men volunteered their help and more hands are needea. If you can help notify Ron Gleason, John Elliott, Alvin Triplet or clerk-treasurer Marizetta Kenney. - - Sep 6, 1979

Culver - Township Trustee, Ron Gleason, right, is shown busily securing ‘‘volunteer" help to work on the building of the ambulance garage and EMT training room. Mary Weiringa at town hall is his willing volunteer. Ron stated that workers are still needed on the project as well as volunteers to train as EMT’s ambulance drivers and dispatchers. - sep 6, 1979

EMS Holds Election

Culver - The in Service training meeting was held Sept. 10, 1979. The change over from Bonine Ambulance Service to the Culver-Union Twp. EMS, October 1st was discussed

A report on the drivers and dispatchers was given. There is still a need from drivers. A valid Ind. Drivers license is all that is needed to drive the ambulance.

Elections were held with the following elected:
• Chariman, Susan FLora;
• vice chairman, Barbara Kamrow;
• secretary Helen Osborn;
• trustees, Sharon Coffey, Jack Easterday, Phil Mallory.


Remote stations and green lights have been ordered and will soon be here.

The new telephone number afer October 1, is 842-2233.

Newly elected officers of the Culver-Union Twp. Emergency Medical Serivce are looking over the site where the ambulance garage will be located. Sewers have been installed and the next step will be pouring of the cement floor. From left to right the EMS officers are, Sue Flora, chairman; Babs Kamrow, training officer and Helen Osborn, sceretary.

Ambulance Donated To CUTEMS By Bonine

Culver - James Bonine, owner of Bonine Funeral Home, Culver, presented the keys to his ambulance to town board member, Jean Williams, recently. Bonine has operated the ambulance service for the past 19 years and was the sccond 'individual in Marshall Co. to qualify as an Emergency Medical Technician (E M T ). The ambulance will serve as a back up vehicle for the Culver-Union Twp., Emergency Medical Service (CUTEMS).

On Oct 1. CUTEMS officially took over the service and will continue to serve the same areas as previously covered by Bonine Funeral Home Ambulance Service

The back up unit will be housed with the recently purchased new ambulance at the fire station until completion of the new garage adjacent to the Town hall

All emergency and transfer calls will be dispatched from the new ambulance service phone number, 842-2233, at the Town Hall during regular business hours. At other times of the day and night five volunteer women dispatchers will answer calls at their homes, all at the same emergency number.

Twenty-two volunteer EMT’s are staffing the new service Two of these and one driver are on call for each of the two 12 hour shifts. Eight EMT’s have had advanced training and are able to start IVs during a run

Ron Gleason, Union Twp. Trustee stated that the charge for an ambulance run is $35 for transfer and $45 for emergency plus $1 per loaded mile. Bonine said that any run which was not prearranged was considered an emergency.

Susan Flora, Chairman for the service, and an EMT, said that the cooperation from the town since the organization of CUTEMS began in 1976 has been fantastic and that she still gets calls from people willing to help out



At left is Jim Bonine, owner of Bonine Funeral Home, and former operator of the Ambulance Service, as he hands over the keys to the ambulance he donated to the town recently. Receiving the keys ; center, is Jean Williams, town board member Susan Flora, the Culver-Union Twp. Emergency Medical Service Chairman, looks on



Thursday, October 4, 1979

1980 - Feb 11 - There is nothing but praise for Culver's newly formed emergency medical service, ambulance and garage. Much of it came about through generous donations and help of its citizens in both Culver and Union township. At present the E.M.S. has seven advanced E.M.Ts,; this means they are capable of adminsitering IV therapy.

One in-service training meeting is held once a month for E.M.T.s and there is continuous training for dispatchers and rivers. The E.M.S. has made 50 runs since Oct. 1 of 1979.

Susan Flora heads the E.M.T.s as chairman, with Arthur Birk as maintenance supervisor and Barbara Kamrow as vice chairman. Other E.M.T.s are Jacquelin Berger, Sharon Coffey, Marcia Combs, Dale Hummel, Joanne Johnston, Winifred Joice, Margaret Lewis, Phillip Mallory, Margarita Marchertas, Donnie Meadows, Larry Norman, Helen Osborn, Raymond Walmouth and Glenn Whitmarsh.

Volunteer ambulance drivers are Stephen Clark, Donald Fetzer, Robert Kamrow, Jean Kibler, Dale Mangun, C. Bob Napier, Jr., Timothy Overmyer, Judith "Sally" Ricciardi, Bonnie Voreis, Max Wentz and Robert Breyfogle.

Volunteer dispatchers include Erma Weirick, Virginia Abair, Beatrice Curry, Patricia Birk and Suzanne Easterday. Nancy Kersey is the volunteer scheduler.

There is still a need for more E.M.T.s and training is available. If interested, call Susan Flora at 842-2238.

1984-1985 - Additional E.M.t's known were: Judith 'Sally' Ricciadi, Thomas Schmidt, Kay Muelhausen, Warren Curtis and Mike Maddox, Steve Ulrey. Dispatcher: Glenda Marshall. s

Dedicated volunteers have provided countless hours to the community as Basic Emergency Medical Technicians (B-EMT), Basic-Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (BA-EMT), and Paramedics.

2017 - Oct - Recently purshased New Ambulance - The service began full praramedic offierings on Aug. 1, 2017.

2020 - Jul-2024 - Hired as director was Jeff Koon. Handed in resignation as director in January 2024 and will be officially leaving the department in March.

2021 - Apr 22 - NOTICE TO BIDDERS

BY THE TOWN of CULVER These specifications intend to describe a vehicle suitable for use as an Emergency Medical Ambulance for Culver-Union Township Emergency Medical Service. ' Bids will be for one (1) 2022 Type III Modular Vehicles. Allowing for trade-in will be one (1) used ambulance. One (1) 2009 Medtec Ford Diesel Type Ill Modular Vin #1FDXE45PX9DA20643 with mileage as of April 13, 2021, of 62,124 miles. Sealed bids will be received at the office of the Town of Culver. c/o Town Council, 200 E. Washington St. Culver, IN. 46511, until Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 before 4:00 p.m EST. Sealed bids will be opened at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Council at 6:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, May 25th, 2021. These specifications cover an ambulance built on a custom, forward control, integral cab-body, by definition, as set forth by the National Highway Traffic Administration Specification, KKK-A 1822-F and state regulation governing ambulances and should provide proof that the builder is a QuaIlled Vehicle Modifier.

2024 - May 16 - Michael Hasselfeldt appointer Ems director, has been with CUTeMS since 2021;Wes Coulter appointed Captain and been with CUTeMS since 2021. A request to hire 2 full-time Parmedics.