By Clark Judge
(March 15, 2025) — The Killingworth Ambulance Association waited so long for its new ambulance that when it pulled into town on March 14, 2025, KAA president Dan O’Sullivan described its arrival as “a relief.” But now that he and others can step back and exhale, they’d like to thank those who made this moment possible.
So they will.
The KAA will hold an open house this on March 16, 2025 with the new ambulance as its main attraction. The event will run from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m. in the KAA’s parking lot, with the public invited, techs and KAA board members on site, and free food and refreshments for all.
Then, of course, there’s the new ambulance. It arrived after a three-year wait and is expected to be in service by the end of the month — or, after radios are installed and an inspection passed.
“This has been a long time coming,” said O’Sullivan, “and the town’s heard about it for a while. But seeing is believing. With their donations over the years, we’ve been able to save up so we can pay for this without a special fund-raising drive. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to them, as well as offering them a chance to see it.”
And what should they expect? A truck that looks nothing like its predecessor, that’s what. This ambulance is white where the current vehicle, housed in one of the KAA bays, is red.
“Cosmetically, it’s very different,” said O’Sullivan, “but the inside is going to be pretty much the same except for a slightly higher roof, which really won’t matter to them. But it should be a smoother ride. The best way I can describe that is to think of the safety features on your personal auto now vs. what you had in 2009. All that is going to be there.”
The current ambulance was built in 2009. The new vehicle was made last year.
In addition to a tour of the ambulance, visitors will be offered water, juice, coffee and donuts. But that’s not all. Chocolate Chip cookies and soft pretzels are available, too, compliments of Killingworth’s Bread Girl … a.k.a., Eileen Unger.
“Why do I do it?” she asked. “That’s the thing about my bakery. It’s always been about community first. I really believe in this. This town’s been good to me over the past …I don’t know how many years … and I try to make it a point when asked to give back.”
Interested? The KAA hopes so. Please stop by on March 16th. We’ll be there.
Photos by Clark Judge. Above, Left to Right: Jim McDonald and Betsy Harris
