MARCH 20, 2026 STREET MEDICINE GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 Photos submitted by HVA. Behind the siren: nonprofit Huron Valley Ambulance prevents and responds to emergencies After I suffered an injury to my spine, the brave men and women of Huron Valley Ambulance played a significant role in my recovery. This article is dedicated to them. As a reporter for Groundcover News I am proud to showcase the tremendous contribution they make throughout Washtenaw County and beyond. I recently had the honor to speak with Marc Breckenridge, Manager for Government and Media Relations for Huron Valley Ambulance. The following is an exclusive look inside HVA. Marc, can you share with our readers about the history and growth of Huron Valley Ambulance? “On December 15, 1981, the Catherine McCauley Health Center (St. Joseph Mercy Hospital) purchased the assets of two failing private ambulance services, Fontana-Taylor and Emergency Specialties Services, to form a new nonprofit EMS provider called Huron Valley Ambulance. Over the following months, all five of Washtenaw County’s hospitals would form a partnership to provide leadership and financial support to ensure HVA had a stable footing. Then, after two years, they created a community board of trustees and gifted HVA to the Washtenaw County community. HVA continues to operate under this community-owned system of governance today. “Huron Valley Ambulance began stations with 47 employees. HVA inherited 10 ambulances and several across the county, every one of them needing repairs. But the employees were motivated and before long HVA began to grow in staff, call volume, ambulances, capability and reputation. “Today, HVA has 325 licensed and support personnel and 58 ambulances with a call volume that has are not only able to accept change, but drive it.” I am so inspired by this great orgaDAVID MITCHELL Groundcover vendor No. 661 nization that I am in the process of starting a medical outreach service called Ypsi Medic One. To help guide me in this process, I asked Marc to give us a look at the ongoing work being done in our community, schools and any other outreach programs. “HVA’s outreach initiatives are cenalmost quadrupled since its inception 44 years ago.” Paul Hood, HVA’s Chief Operating Officer, frequently proclaims just how proud he feels of the organization’s exceptional progress over the last 44 years. “Thinking back, I believe that there were three significant milestones in HVA’s professional development.” Paul said. "When we began providing Critical Care transportation (MICU or Mobile Intensive Care Units) was the first. Becoming one of the first EMS providers in the nation to gain national accreditation by both the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs was the second. After achieving both of those milestones, we found ourselves well positioned for our most recent milestone, providing Washtenaw County citizens with Community Paramedicine services.” Paul added, “Putting all that aside, we really do take a lot of pride in the many collaborative partnerships that we’ve formed over the last forty years. But it’s important to recognize that our people, all the members of HVA’s team, are at the heart of what we do. I know we have the most hardworking, compassionate and cerebral staff, who tered on community education and prevention. While these programs help the public better understand the role of EMS in the community, they also equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to prevent injury and illness, respond confidently in emergencies, and ultimately improve the overall health and safety of the communities we serve. “HVA works closely with community partners to expand the reach and impact of our education efforts. We collaborate with nonprofit organizations — including churches, libraries, health centers and community action groups — to provide CPR and First Aid training throughout the community. “We also host Scout Days, where local scout groups tour our stations, visit our dispatch center, explore an ambulance, learn about EMS careers and gain hands-on lifesaving skills as they work toward First Aid badges.” Marc went on to say, “In partnership with the American Heart Association, we organize cardiac arrest response drills to help nonprofit organizations meet CPR training grant requirements and strengthen their emergency preparedness. We also support initiatives aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates, including collaborations with programs such as Save MI Heart and MI Heart Safe Home. “Through these combined efforts, HVA is committed not only to responding to emergencies, but to empowering the community to prevent them and act when seconds matter most.” Marc then spoke about specific school programs. “We provide age-appropriate education and training across all grade levels. For elementary schools, we facilitate participation in programs such as Safety Towns, Community Helper Week, STEM Career Days and Hero Reading Week. These events help young students understand what to do in an emergency, when and how to call 911, and the role EMS professionals play in helping people. For middle school, high school and college, we provide Hands-On CPR and AED classes, Heartsaver® K–12 CPR/AED certification courses (plus a First Aid option), and BLS (Basic Life Support) certification courses for students in healthcare career tracks. For educators and school staff, there are Heartsaver® K–12 CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid training to ensure teachers and staff are prepared to respond to medical emergencies in the school setting.” I then asked Marc to share how members of the community can join HVA. “HVA has an apprentice-style work and training program that is 16 weeks in length. The students are full time employees during the course and receive high quality training to prepare them as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to work on Basic Life Support ambulances,” Marc replied. I wish to thank Marc Breckenridge for his time and professionalism. Should you desire additional information, visit the Huron Valley Ambulance website at www.emergenthealth. org/hva.
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