Members of the Medical Incident Command Paramedics were, from left, Mike St. Clair, Steve Flinn, Jim Matheny, Gene Straight, Jamie Bell, Dr. Mike Russell, Jeff Matheny and John Olex.

PARKERBURG – The WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its ambulance service.

An anniversary celebration was held March 31 at the Wood County Resiliency Center where Camden Clark EMS staff, hospital leaders, local officials and former EMS professionals spoke about the service’s history, growth and impact on emergency care in the region.

The Camden Clark Ambulance Service was established on Feb. 23, 1976, with 16 employees and two ambulances, responding to 4,096 calls in its first year. Since then, the service has expanded its capabilities, workforce and technology, evolving into a critical resource for emergency care.

“It’s incredible to look back at how far this service has come, from two ambulances and 16 employees to a team of 120 with 22 units serving our region today,” said Shawn Marshall, director of Ambulance Services at WVU Medicine Camden Clark. “We’ve grown not only in size, but in our ability to deliver a higher level of pre-hospital care to our community.”

Following the closure of St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service on March 31, 2025, Camden Clark rapidly expanded operations to maintain uninterrupted emergency coverage for residents. In 2025, the service responded to more than 24,000 calls and increased regional footprint with the addition of two new ambulance stations to improve response times in key areas.

Gear and memorabilia from the early days of the Camden Clark Ambulance Service were on display during the 50th anniversary celebration.

Camden Clark EMS further advanced pre-hospital emergency care in 2025 with the implementation of whole blood administration for trauma patients. Through a specialized paramedicine response vehicle, EMS teams can now begin lifesaving transfusions, stabilizing patients suffering from severe blood loss before they reach the hospital.

Camden Clark Ambulance Service also has received national recognition for excellence in pre-hospital care, including the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Gold designation for heart attack and stroke response.

“From advancing clinical capabilities to training our own EMTs and earning national recognition for heart attack and stroke care, our focus has always been on providing the best possible care when it matters most,” Marshall said.

Camden Clark paramedics are equipped with specialized clinical training and technology, including rapid sequence intubation for severe respiratory cases, and state-of-the-art equipment such as advanced cardiac monitors, LUCAS devices, IV pumps and ventilators. The service also provides critical care transport capabilities by ground.

“Leadership in EMS is about supporting your team and the people you serve,” Marshall said.”I’m proud of what our team has built, and I’m excited to see how we continue to grow in the years ahead.”

Camden Clark EMS Shift Coordinator Tyler White with his daughter, Sydneigh White, a 10-year-old student at Creed Collins Elementary School in Pennsboro. Sydneigh recently earned first place at the regional social studies fair for her project on the history and 50th anniversary of the Camden Clark Ambulance Service, which was also on display during the celebration.