Construction begins on ambulance building for nonprofit group

Construction on the 1,200 square foot Ritzville Emergency Response Center that will be used to house the two primary ambulances in Ritzville has began on First Avenue. The Ritzville Volunteer Ambulance Association (RVAA) began collecting donations last October to move forward with building new facilities for the emergency vehicles.

RVAA chairman, Phil Bowman, explained the deadline for the project is Dec. 5, but the project could potentially be completed during the next month. The project is being completely funded by donations and a grant the association has received from local businesses and community members, and is separate from the hospital district.

The RVAA is currently housing the two primary ambulances for the Ritzville area in the old fire station building on Adams Street. The City of Ritzville has provided the space to the volunteer association at no cost, but Bowman explained the RVAA believed it was time to purchase and construct its own building.

The association made the decision to purchase about three-quarters of an acre of property on First Avenue near Ritzville Warehouse Company. The total project cost is estimated at $65,000 and nearly half of the amount was collected in donations from local contributors, and a substantial donation being received from the East Adams County Healthcare Foundation.

The RVAA also received a Rural Development Grant from the USDA for $30,000, after having tests completed on the ground. The property previously housed a Chevron station and with chemicals being used on the ground, the dirt had to prove not to be contaminated in order to received the grant from Ecology.

With completion of the building, the RVAA has the ability to park the two ambulances in separate bays with doors at both ends of the building. The building also provides the association with a meeting space to conduct regular meetings and trainings.

The building is going to be climate controlled to allow the ambulances to remain functional and provide a more steady temperature for patients, especially in the winter months. A parking lot, including ADA compliant parking space, is going to be installed next to the building.

As a separate association from the hospital, Bowman emphasized the association is in charge of maintaining and funding the building. None of the taxpayer’s dollars are being used to build this facility, Bowman explained, and when the building is completed, the association will become a property owner. The bills associated with owning the building are all new costs to the association.

The association’s primary fundraiser for the year is the annual Mother’s Day plant sale and Bowman said the association might consider additional fundraisers in the future to help pay the bills for the building. Eventually, the association intends to build a lean-to off the side of the building to shelter the two emergency response trailers.

The RVAA is comprised of around 12 EMT’s, who are paid volunteers, but the majority maintains full-time jobs within the community. The EMTs receive an hourly wage when responding to calls and receive a small stipend for being on standby. The only EMT who is employed full-time with the hospital is Roni Kinney, who serves as the EMS coordinator.

Bowman explained the EMS levy, which goes out to voters on a six-year basis, is used to fund a variety of emergency medical services within the hospital district. The funds can be used to help supply the RVAA with necessary equipment in the ambulances, but the association budgets to purchase equipment for the ambulances on a yearly basis.

All of the funds donated go directly back into the community, Bowman explained. The RVAA uses them to purchase equipment for the ambulance, which later assists to save the lives of patients in the local communities.

With the completion of the facility, the RVAA plans to move three ambulances to the location and park the two emergency trailers outside. Bowman believes the building will serve as a long-term location for the RVAA, and benefits the EMTs by providing a safe location for the equipment and space for the group to conduct monthly meetings.

As a 501 C (3) nonprofit corporation, all donations made to the RVAA are fully tax deductible.

The contractor for the project is Spokane Post Frame, Inc.