Evelyn Rose received the Youth Provider of the Year Award at last month’s MLREMS meeting. Photo provided by Meg Rose
National EMS Week 2026 was celebrated May 17–23 with the theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together” — a theme that reflects the mission and spirit of Lima EMS.
Lima EMS volunteers come from all walks of life, ranging from 14-year-old Junior EMS to Drivers in their 70s. Together, they work tirelessly to support and improve emergency medical care in the Lima community and beyond.
Over the past five years, Lima EMS has transformed from a small group of volunteers struggling to meet call demands to a diverse agency that now consistently provides 99% call coverage and has expanded their service to the community outside of ambulance calls. Lima’s volunteer EMTs are deeply committed to rapid response, often responding to emergencies even when they are not officially on duty. Because of this dedication, Lima EMS maintains an average response time of under six minutes each month.
Volunteers regularly cover multiple shifts each week and frequently step in outside of scheduled duty hours to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. Through teamwork on emergency scenes, ongoing training, and a strong commitment to excellence, Lima EMS members provide timely, compassionate, and high-quality care to every patient they serve.
Their dedication extends far beyond emergency calls. Lima EMS operates a medical equipment loan closet that provides both adult and pediatric equipment to community members in need. Volunteers are present at local festivals, parades, countless community events and even a few neighborhood lemonade stands.
The agency has also established a Juniors Program designed to inspire and engage local teenagers in both EMS and volunteer service. Lima EMS is now certified to teach CPR, Stop the Bleed, and Narcan administration, offering community members valuable opportunities to learn lifesaving skills. Scout troops are welcomed to work on first aid badges, and community organizations are invited to tour the ambulances and learn more about emergency medical services. This commitment to serving beyond the ambulance demonstrates the agency’s deep investment in the Lima community.
Remarkably, all of this is accomplished while remaining primarily volunteer-based. Lima EMS does not rely on taxpayer funding for operating expenses. Taxpayer funds are used only for building debt service and limited staffing support through an outside agency. Volunteers continue to cover the majority of ambulance shifts while also managing agency operations, fundraising efforts, and community outreach events.
Lima EMS is always looking for new members to join their team and experience what community EMS is all about. They provide on-site training for Drivers and will sponsor and support volunteers who want to become EMTs. They recognize that volunteering can look different for everyone so Lima EMS offers flexible shifts and ability to respond from home or work to make it more convenient. Visit their website LimaAmbulance.org for more information.
In 2025, the Lima Ambulance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established to support fundraising efforts for the agency. Foundation volunteers assist Lima EMS by seeking grants for critical equipment purchases, as well as supporting volunteer recruitment and retention initiatives.
The 2026 National EMS Week celebration began with an Ice Cream Social hosted by Friends of the Lima Ambulance Foundation to recognize and celebrate Lima EMS volunteers. Special thanks go to Dipper Dan’s for sponsoring this event and helping honor the dedicated individuals who serve the community each day.
On May 18, Lima EMS attended the Monroe-Livingston Regional Emergency Medical Services Board meeting, where EMT Evelyn Rose received the Youth Provider of the Year Award for her leadership in launching the Juniors Program and becoming a certified EMT at just 17 years old.
Lima Volunteer Ambulance was also nominated for MLREMS Agency of the Year, an honor that reflects years of dedication, sacrifice, and hard work by Lima EMS volunteers. While the agency was not selected for the award, being recognized alongside outstanding organizations such as Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance is a tremendous accomplishment. Lima EMS congratulates Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance on being named Agency of the Year.
This nomination is a meaningful recognition of Lima EMS volunteers’ ongoing commitment to improving outcomes together and the lasting impact they continue to make on the Lima community every day.
