The White County Ambulance Service has been awarded a significant $659,000 donation from the Absher Foundation in Carmi to purchase two new ambulances and related equipment. The funds will be used to acquire two 2024 Ford F-450 ambulances, each equipped with a power load system and a power cot, enhancing safety and efficiency for both patients and emergency personnel.
Due to the absence of a hospital within White County, ambulances frequently transport patients to neighboring hospitals—a necessity that leads to rapid accumulation of mileage. The service’s ambulances purchased in 2023 have already logged more than 160,000 miles. The Absher Foundation, known for supporting healthcare and education in the community, has a history of assisting the ambulance service. In recent years, the foundation has helped upgrade power load systems and pay off loans for prior ambulance purchases.
Absher Foundation Managing Director, Amber Carney emphasized the importance of reliable ambulances for the community. “We need to keep the ambulances in a good running condition, and so it should be a comfort to everybody in the county knowing that we do have a quality system to get them to the hospital for critical care,” she said.
The two new ambulances are expected to arrive within the next two weeks and should be serving White County residents by January.