Our History

Before the establishment of Somerset Area Ambulance, emergency transport in the Somerset community was handled by local funeral directors. Funeral homes naturally assumed this role because they already owned vehicles capable of carrying patients in a lying position. In fact, Somerset’s earliest ambulances were hearse vehicles that served a dual purpose.

These early ambulances were minimally equipped, typically carrying only basic supplies such as bandages, splints, and an oxygen tank provided by the local hospital. Emergency response in this rural setting followed a simple “grab-and-go” approach—prioritizing rapid transport to the nearest medical facility rather than on-scene treatment.

When an ambulance was needed, residents would contact their family’s preferred funeral home to request service. The funeral home would then dispatch an employee to drive the vehicle, often someone with little or no formal medical training.

At the time, the cost of service was modest: a standard ambulance ride was about $10, while a longer transport to Pittsburgh—usually accompanied by a registered nurse—cost around $40.

By the mid-1960s, communities across the country were transitioning away from funeral home–based ambulance services in favor of organized public systems. In Somerset, this shift took shape in April 1966, when six local funeral homes—Walter S. Hoffman Funeral Home, Richard E. Hauger Funeral Home, Wilbur D. Miller Funeral Home, Robert H. Halverson Funeral Home, Mickey Funeral Home, and Wood Funeral Home—joined together to form the Somerset Area Ambulance Association. On April 28, 1966, a formal agreement was signed, officially transferring ambulance services from these funeral homes to the newly established organization.

The association was incorporated as a nonprofit in May 1966, and by August of that year, it responded to its first emergency call. Its initial ambulance, a 1962 Cadillac purchased from the participating funeral homes for $1,000, was stationed in a former bus garage on Fuller Street in Somerset Borough. Office operations were modest, located in an apartment above the garage.

A nine-member board of directors was established to represent the various communities served throughout Somerset County. Irwin Engle was appointed as the first manager, with Larry Lyons serving as assistant manager; together, they became the organization’s first two employees. By the end of the decade, Somerset Area Ambulance had expanded to a staff of 10 and was responding to an average of 50 calls per month, marking steady growth in its early years.

In 1970, Somerset Ambulance relocated from its original Fuller Street station to the newly constructed Somerset Borough Building, where the ambulance was housed behind the Somerset Fire Department. This move provided improved facilities, including space for two ambulances and two small office areas.

By this time, call volume had increased to nearly 100 responses per month. Crews operated on a call-back basis, responding from their homes to the station when needed.

Later in the 1970s, the service modernized its fleet by replacing the original Cadillac ambulance with two van-style units, reflecting a shift toward more practical and updated emergency vehicles.

In 1980, Somerset Ambulance welcomed its first Pennsylvania State–certified paramedic, marking a major advancement in the level of care provided. With this addition, the service was able to introduce Advanced Life Support (ALS), significantly improving patient treatment within the Somerset community.

To support these enhanced capabilities, a new modular-style ambulance was purchased in 1982 to replace one of the older units. This updated vehicle offered increased space and improved functionality, allowing paramedics to more effectively perform ALS procedures.

By 1983, the addition of another ambulance to the fleet further expanded the service’s capabilities—but also created a new challenge, as the existing station no longer had adequate space to accommodate the growing number of vehicles.

With the passage of Pennsylvania’s Act 45, new statewide standards were established requiring all ambulance services to meet specific criteria for licensure. Somerset Area Ambulance Association successfully met these requirements and was officially licensed in 1990.

Looking toward the future, the organization purchased four acres of land on Wood Duck Road in Somerset Township in late 1991 to build a new, modern facility. The resulting 9,000-square-foot station was designed to support a growing service, featuring multiple offices, a conference room, male and female sleeping quarters, a kitchen and living area, and eight ambulance bays. Crews moved into the new station in the spring of 1993, and an official open house was held on July 25 of that year.

This new facility opened the door to expanded community services. CPR and first aid classes were offered in the conference room, and in 1994, Somerset Ambulance was designated as an American Heart Association Community Training Center. The following year, in partnership with Somerset Hospital and Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, a transport van service was introduced to assist residents traveling to medical appointments.

In 1996, marking 30 years since its founding, Somerset Ambulance expanded its reach by opening a second station in Stoystown. Known as Station 902, it was located along Lincoln Highway and staffed with a 24-hour Advanced Life Support unit, improving response times to the northern service area by more than 10 minutes.

By the end of the 1990s, the organization continued to broaden its services with the addition of a wheelchair van program, providing reliable transportation for non-ambulatory patients traveling to and from medical appointments.

On September 11, 2001, Somerset Area Ambulance was called to assist in the response to the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Crews were among the first to respond and remained on scene for several days, providing support during the initial emergency operations.

In the weeks that followed, personnel continued to play an active role in the ongoing recovery and cleanup efforts, contributing to one of the most significant and somber events in the nation’s history.

Somerset Ambulance played a critical role in the response to the Quecreek Mine Rescue in July 2002, when nine miners were trapped underground for more than 77 hours. Crews were on standby throughout the operation, working closely with rescue teams, medical personnel, and emergency management officials. Ambulance staff prepared for worst-case scenarios while also providing continuous support to rescuers and the families gathered at the site. When the miners were finally brought to the surface, Somerset Ambulance personnel were ready to deliver immediate medical care and transport, helping ensure the safe and coordinated transfer of all nine survivors to nearby hospitals.

Following back-to-back responses to two prolonged, large-scale incidents, Somerset Ambulance recognized the need for enhanced resources to manage extended operations. In late 2002, the organization acquired and placed into service a travel trailer outfitted with an extensive mass casualty equipment cache.

The trailer was slightly modified to support its operational role, while still retaining its original living accommodations. Over time, the equipment cache has been updated and refined to meet evolving needs. Today, this specialized unit continues to serve Somerset County as a versatile asset—functioning as a mobile command center, a base for long-term medical operations, and a mobile first aid station during large-scale incidents and community events.