Donation lets Addison Fire District equip fourth ambulance

The Addison Fire Protection District now has a fourth fully equipped ambulance, thanks to a donation from Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights.

The fire protection district had three fully equipped ambulances and a fourth one that did not have the equipment needed to be serviceable and comply with Illinois regulations. The necessary equipment includes medicine, first aid supplies, a cardiac monitor and stretchers and is estimated at about $50,000.

“Having a fourth fully equipped ambulance gives us the flexibility to better serve the community,” said Don Markowski, chief of the fire protection district that serves the village of Addison and surrounding unincorporated areas. “We’re very grateful to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital for purchasing the necessary supplies and equipment to outfit the ambulance for us.”

Marshall Gray, chairman of the GlenOaks Hospital Foundation’s board of directors, said Adventist GlenOaks Hospital was more than happy to help.

“An ambulance run can mean the difference between life and death,” Gray said.

Bruce C. Christian, chief executive officer of Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, added, “Helping to equip this ambulance is a fitting way to partner with the Addison Fire Protection District. We’re both committed to saving lives and providing the best medical care available to the community in times of emergency.”

According to Markowski, when one of the three equipped ambulances was being serviced, all the equipment was transferred to the fourth ambulance. It takes one hour to transfer the equipment, creating a downtime of two hours when only two ambulances were available.

“Having all four available means we have no trouble when multiple calls come in,” Markowski said.

The ambulance will bear the logo of Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.