Marble Falls Area EMS recalls 40 years
Alexandria Randolph/Highland Lakes Newspapers
Carol Nunnaly Davis Ratliff, a founding member of the Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service, shares stories of the department's 40-year history at the anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 29.
By Alexandria Randolph
Highland Lakes Newspapers
Marble Falls Area EMS celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday with new faces and old stories.
Friends and community members gathered at the Marble Falls Area EMS station on Saturday to celebrate 40 years of history as a first response organization.
In 1976 the department was an all-volunteer organization.
“Our first ambulance – we had it in front of the house for a long time,” said Carol Nunnally Davis Ratliff. “Our first ambulance we got through a CAPCOG (Capital Area Council of Governments) grant.”
Ratliff is one of the original founders of MFAEMS. She has been involved in the department in some sort or fashion since its early years.
“Before our ambulance, we rode with the patient in a funeral home vehicle to the hospital,” she said.
After some time, the MFAEMS volunteers began providing training to volunteers in surrounding areas, including Spicewood and Horseshoe Bay. There was even a training course offered to help area physicians identify venomous snakes.
“I'm just thrilled,” Ratliff said regarding the department's growth over 40 years. “It's done so well and still serving the community, still using the same name. It took the whole community to do this.”
Ratliff said community organizations such as the annual Howdy Roo chili cook-off raised money to support the department over all the years.
During the anniversary celebration on Saturday, Marble Falls Area EMS Executive Director Johnny Campbell gathered all the original volunteers to be recognized.
“We appreciate all you've done and all your continued support,” he said.
“We had a group effort and I think the Lord is with us,” Ratliff followed.
