By Clark Judge
(March 18, 2025) — The Killingworth Ambulance Association’s Open House was one for the ages – that is, if you’re counting from 4 to 90.
That’s the range in age of those who joined KAA techs on March 16, 2025 to welcome their new ambulance after a prolonged three-year wait. The vehicle was delivered on March 14, 2025, and, if all goes according to plan, could be in service as early as this week.
“Finally,” said one visitor. “It’s about time.”
But that’s why the KAA wanted to celebrate with a three-hour event that attracted an estimated 40-50 individuals. Among them was four-year-old Jackson Callahan who, with mother Paige, was one of the first arrivals (photo above). The two showed up shortly after noon, with Mom walking her son around the vehicle and asking what he liked best.
“The tires,” he said.
The reason?
“They’re shiny and black,” he answered.
Then there was former EMT and board member Don McDougall (photo above). His response contrasted with Jackson’s. Then again, so did his age. McDougall turns 91 this year. He not only was one of the first to join the KAA when it started in 1971 – an era when the town’s ambulance was a used 1964 Cadillac bought with $3,000 in borrowed money; he was the second original member to see the new ambulance in three days.
Betsy Harris was the first, shortly after it arrived Friday.
“This is a significant improvement,” McDougall said, as he toured the outside of the rig, “even over the one we had the last few years.”
Then he was helped into the cab and settled in the driver’s seat.
“Very impressive,” he said, grabbing the steering wheel. “What stands out to me are the adjustable pedals. That’s going to help someone with short legs. I like the back-up camera, too. The other one didn’t have that. You had to rely on mirrors and someone helping you. I had to come by and see this.”
The event was as much a celebration of the town as it was the KAA’s newest acquisition. Thanks in part to annual contributions from donors, no fundraising effort was needed to pay for a vehicle that cost $350,000. Neither was one necessary for a $70,000 power-LOAD, equipment that lifts and lowers the ambulance stretcher. A contribution from the town paid for that.
A contribution from a town resident helped with Sunday’s event, too. In addition to coffee, water, juice and donuts provided by the KAA, the Bread Girl – a.k.a., Eileen Unger – donated soft pretzels and chocolate chunk cookies, all of which were gone by the 3:00 p.m. closing.
“She was excited to help as soon as I contacted her,” said KAA president Dan O’Sullivan.
Techs who hadn’t viewed the ambulance prior to the weekend were excited, too. But they were just as relieved, and why not? It took months … no, years … for it to arrive. In the end, however, all seemed satisfied. Visitors and EMTs were unanimous in their praise, diverging only when it came to the vehicle’s color. Where some preferred the red of the current truck, others opted for white – the color of its successor. Otherwise, all liked what they saw:
— “A great ambulance,” said 15-year-old Sean Link, who plans on taking an EMT course this fall. “Definitely an upgrade from the last one we had. The people the KAA provides care to are going to like it, as well as those who work on it. I think it’s a great buy.”
— “This is nice for the community,” said Jeff LaConte, joined by wife Sherry and daughter Grace, an HKHS senior interested in nursing.
— “I’m excited,” said Paige Callahan, “and I think it’s great. The volunteers work hard, and it’s nice to have new equipment for everybody else in town.”
Some of those who stopped by asked to see the current ambulance, stored within one of two bays at the KAA’s headquarters. Its dimensions are nearly identical to its successor, with height the only difference. The new ambulance is four inches higher. However, as soon as it passes state inspection – presumably this week – it replaces the other in the garage and on the road … which should please Jackson Callahan.
“I like it better,” he said.
No need to ask why.
“Because the tires are shiny,” he said.
Case closed.
Photos by Clark Judge
