New Ambulance Service in Southern Washington County Shows Promising Early Results

A newly established Boonsboro ambulance service operating out of Rohersville in Southern Washington County has demonstrated a significant positive impact in its first month of operation, according to a recent report to Board of County Commissioners by the Department of Emergency Services. The service, which began responding to calls on December 1, has already seen substantial activity and is credited with improving response times and potentially saving lives.

The initiative, which has garnered strong community support, saw its dedicated ambulance respond to 50 emergency incidents during the month of December. Of these calls, 58% required transport to a medical facility, indicating a robust need for the service in the area. Beyond direct patient care, the presence of this new ambulance has also had a beneficial effect on the county’s broader emergency medical services, enabling other ambulances to attend to calls elsewhere within the county. This reallocation of resources has been crucial, especially considering periods of high demand, such as one day over the holidays when nearly all ambulances in Washington County were engaged with over 100 EMS calls.

Director of Emergency Services Dave Hayes and Deputy Director David Chisholm presented initial performance data, highlighting the efficiency gains achieved by the new station. Calls handled by the Boomsboro-based ambulance have been addressed with remarkable speed. On its very first day in service, the ambulance responded to a high-priority patient call within six minutes, a stark contrast to potential response times of 14 to 15 minutes that might have been expected without the localized station. This reduction in response time is estimated to save between 7 to 14 minutes per call on average, a critical factor in emergency medical situations where time is of the essence.

The positive reception from the community has been overwhelming, with residents expressing their gratitude for the improved access to emergency medical transport. The establishment of this service is the culmination of efforts by numerous individuals and groups, including local resident Gary Hines, who has been instrumental in advocating for enhanced EMS capabilities in the southern part of the county. Fire Chief Griffith and Chief Wachner were also recognized for their long-standing dedication to ensuring citizens in Southern Washington County receive timely EMS transport services.

The impact of the new ambulance extends beyond just response times. In the first month and a half of operation, the station had already responded to nearly 70 calls. During peak periods, the service has experienced situations where it has had up to four calls simultaneously, illustrating the significant demand in the area. This sustained activity underscores the necessity of the new station and its role in supplementing the county’s overall EMS capacity.

Furthermore, an understanding exists with neighboring areas through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide mutual support. This agreement ensures that services can be rendered even when calls may extend beyond the immediate county lines, reinforcing the collaborative approach to emergency response. The successful implementation of this new ambulance service signifies a commitment to enhancing public safety and providing a higher standard of care for all residents of Washington County.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the Board of County Commissioners Meeting of January 13, 2026

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