<body><div><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ilEdSDPP_YU?feature=oembed" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div>NORTH WEBSTER – Jan. 1 marks the 50th anniversary of North Webster Emergency Medical Services and the 30th anniversary of the first paramedic service based in northern Kosciusko County in Tippecanoe Township.EMS service in North Webster began in 1976, when emergency responses were far simpler than today. According to former Assistant Fire Chief Tom Reiff, a whistle once signaled emergencies.“For fires, it blew 12 times,” Reiff said. “For emergencies, it blew one time. The whistle and the siren are still there.”Before EMS existed, funeral homes handled medical transport. If a death occurred, a hearse was dispatched to pick up the deceased or transport patients to the hospital.“It was the first ambulance,” said Dennis Judy, a former EMS captain. “They’d pick them up and take them to the hospital.”Before acquiring a formal ambulance, the department relied on a panel truck. When EMS service officially launched in 1976, the first ambulance was an old Dodge van.“In the beginning, we just had a van,” said former EMT Larry Ladd. “An old Dodge van was the first ambulance.”Emergency calls were initially dispatched from a private residence. Foxy Spray, the department’s first dispatcher, handled all EMS and fire calls from his home.“He dispatched from his house when we got the phone down there,” said former EMS Captain Roger Leinsetter. “He had a fire phone in his house.”Chris Francis, current Tippecanoe Township trustee, said North Webster was among the first towns in the county to operate a motorized ambulance. That system remained in place until the mid-1970s, when federal legislation began regulating patient care standards.In 1975, fire personnel were informed during a meeting that Harris Troxel Funeral Home would no longer provide ambulance service. The state mandated that the town must staff a certified EMT and operate its own ambulance, Reiff said.At that meeting, 10 or 11 men volunteered to take EMT training. Reiff became one of several ambulance drivers, marking the beginning of modern EMS service in North Webster.Paramedic service was added in 1996, allowing for advanced medical care such as IV administration. EMS lanes were also introduced at that time by Dick Mitchell.Ken Strong was the first and only full-time paramedic when the service began 30 years ago. The remaining staff were volunteers, and only two ambulances were in operation.“We worked 24-hour shifts,” Strong said.Before paramedic service was established locally, North Webster relied on Multi-Township EMS in Warsaw.To commemorate the anniversaries, Strong, a former battalion chief, produced a multi-part documentary highlighting the stories of past and present EMS personnel. Strong was the only remaining employee from the original EMS service when he retired Jan. 1.“This series is intended to immortalize the service and sacrifice of the men and women whose contributions to our community are responsible for saving countless lives,” Strong said.The documentary series is available on YouTube and is narrated by those who helped found North Webster EMS and paramedic service, along with others who have served the community over the past five decades.The videos can be viewed on Ken Strong’s YouTube page, Travel Strongs, and the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory’s Facebook page.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1OTF2U_18agF28h00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1OTF2U_18agF28h00" width="700" height="350" ><figcaption>North Webster’s first ambulance was this van. This year is the 50th anniversary of the formation of North Webster EMS and the 30th anniversary of paramedic service in the town. Photo provided by Ken Strong.</figcaption></figure></div></body>

North Webster EMS Marks 50 Years of Service

North Webster, Indiana celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on January 1, 2026, with the 30th anniversary of its paramedic service. Initially, funeral homes provided medical transport using hearses. The first ambulance was an old Dodge van, and dispatching was done from a private residence. In 1975, the state required certified EMTs and their own ambulance, leading to ten volunteers taking EMT training. Advanced services like IV administration were introduced in 1996 with the addition of paramedic service. Ken Strong, the first full-time paramedic, retired on the anniversary date after being the last original member. A documentary series commemorating the service's history is available on YouTube and Facebook.

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NORTH WEBSTER – Jan. 1 marks the 50th anniversary of North Webster Emergency Medical Services and the 30th anniversary of the first paramedic service based in northern Kosciusko County in Tippecanoe Township. EMS service in North Webster began in 1976, when emergency responses were far simpler than today. According...

North Webster EMS Celebrates 50th Anniversary

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NORTH WEBSTER – Jan. 1 marks the 50th anniversary of North Webster Emergency Medical Services and the 30th anniversary of the first paramedic service based

North Webster EMS Celebrates 50th Anniversary

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