Marion Health Auxiliary Donates Chase/Command Vehicle to Marion Health Emergency Medical Service (EMS)

Marion Health Auxiliary volunteers (pictured left to right) Sia M’Bayo, Bernice Farnum, Jan Mann, Karen Turner, Loretta Sampson, Malinda Wyatt, Dorinda Turner, and Mary Lynn Nordstrom stand next to the Chase/Command Vehicle the auxiliary donated to Marion Health Emergency Medical Service (EMS) to assist the EMS in emergency situations.

Marion, IN – With the goal of continuous improvement to provide the highest level of care to patients, the Marion Health Auxiliary has purchased and donated an emergency Chase/Command Vehicle to assist Marion Health EMS in emergency situations.

The vehicle is a custom-built and mission-specific SUV that will be used in a variety of ways as an extension of the primary ambulance and to assist personnel with the care needed at the site of an emergency situation. While an ambulance requires two trained paramedics, the Chase/Command Vehicle requires only one. The SUV is designated as a Chase vehicle because it is a mobile medical unit that can also be used as a pursuit vehicle to ensure that emergency responders can get to and treat patients while also engaging in high-speed operations. The designation of a Command SUV is because the unit can also serve as a mobile command center for EMS personnel to coordinate responses, manage resources, and maintain situational awareness during emergency situations like a natural disaster, a major public safety incident, an infrastructure failure, a multiple casualty event, or a remote emergency.

“The mission of the Marion Health Auxiliary is to purchase things we need to better the hospital, so we are always excited when we get a request,” said Mary Lynn Nordstrom, President of the Marion Health Auxiliary. “It is great to see the Chase/Command Vehicle out on the street and know that we purchased that! It also makes us feel good to know that we are helping our community as well.”

The SUV will be staffed by a paramedic who is able to provide Advanced Life Support care, and it will be stocked with equipment and medications just like on the Marion Health ambulances. By being able to take everything from the Chase to the patient, the paramedic can begin emergent care immediately if necessary. Though patients can’t be transported in the Chase/Command Vehicle, it is like an ambulance in every other way. For the safety of all, as with an ambulance, the SUV is marked with the Marion Health logo, has chevrons on the back for ease of visibility at night, and it is equipped with lights and sirens for use as needed in responding to a 911 call or another emergency situation.

The Marion Health Auxiliary is made up of volunteers who raise money throughout the year by working in the hospital gift shop and organizing various fundraisers, such as culinary and collective goods sales. “Funds are also raised through various food trucks that are brought on site to the Marion Health main campus, as well as weekly coffee and baked goods sales,” said Ellie Amick, Volunteer Services Employee at Marion Health.

Brenda Wise, Volunteer Coordinator at Marion Health, added, “All of the money raised is returned back to the hospital in the form of purchases for departments that submit formal requests to the auxiliary.”

This is the Chase/Command Vehicle donated to Marion Health Emergency Medical Service (EMS) by the Marion Health Auxiliary to assist the EMS in emergency situations.