Area Ambulance Service

05/21/2026

Happy EMS Week from Area Ambulance Service 🚑

This week we celebrate the paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, mechanics, supervisors, educators, support staff, and every team member who helps provide exceptional care to our community every single day.

EMS is more than emergency calls and lights and sirens. It’s long hours, missed holidays, difficult moments, teamwork, compassion, and showing up when people need help the most.

To our crews and staff, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and heart. We are proud of the care you provide and proud to serve our communities alongside you.

Please join us in thanking all EMS professionals this week for everything they do behind the scenes and on the front lines every day.

05/06/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to check in with yourself and others, reduce stigma, and prioritize well-being. It's okay to ask for help; reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Small actions—listening without judgment, practicing self-care, and sharing resources—can make a big difference. Together we can create a kinder, more supportive community for everyone.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is proud to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Mental health is an essential part of our overall well-being. You can't separate it from physical health. They are deeply connected, and things like sleep, stress, relationships, nutrition, and our environment all play a role in how we feel.

While some factors are beyond our control, it is important to focus on what we can change. Small steps like moving your body in ways you enjoy, connecting with your community, or simply remembering to drink water can make a big difference. Small wins matter.

This month, take a moment to think about what a “good day” looks like for you. “Good” does not have to mean perfect or productive. It could mean calm, comfortable, or manageable. Your definition is personal, and it may change over time.

Give yourself permission to prioritize your well-being. Make time for rest, hobbies, creativity, and the things that bring you peace. We all deserve more good days.

No matter how you are feeling, more good days are possible, and you are not alone. Help is available 24/7:
• Call or text 988
• Chat at 988lifeline.org
• Visit the Linn County Mental Health Access Center (501 13th St. NW, Cedar Rapids, no appointment needed)
• Call 319-892-5612

Together, we can build a community that supports and prioritizes mental health.

04/21/2026

Area Ambulance is looking for a part-time mechanic to help keep our fleet running.
Schedule: 1–3 days per week.

Duties:
Tire rotations
Oil changes
General vehicle maintenance
Work under the direct supervision of our fleet manager

Requirements:
Experience with general vehicle maintenance
Must have your own tools
Reliable and detail-oriented

If you’re someone who takes pride in your work and wants to play a key role behind the scenes in emergency services, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply at the link below.

Please click the link to complete this form.

04/16/2026

The Guardian Angel Award is a special honor given to those who go above and beyond. Yesterday, one of our own was recognized by the St. Luke’s Foundation for her dedication and compassion.
Congratulations to Kortney Etten! Thank you for all you do for your community, Area Ambulance is proud to have you on our team.

04/13/2026

Happy Telecommunications Week!

To the voices behind the radios, the masters of multitasking, and the calm in everyone else’s chaos, this week is all about YOU!

At Area Ambulance Service, our Communications team keeps the wheels turning—literally. Every call, every tone, every response starts with them.

So, this week, we celebrate the ones who:
🚑 Keep crews moving
📍 Know where everyone is at all times
🎯 Handle the chaos like it’s just another Tuesday
💬 And always answer with a steady, reassuring voice

To all of the dispatchers: thank you for your unwavering commitment, your steady voices, and the vital role you play in saving lives. We appreciate you more than words can say. 💙

04/06/2026

**WE’RE HIRING!** 🚨
Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Join our team of dedicated EMS professionals at Area Ambulance Service!
We’re currently looking for passionate and skilled individuals to fill Paramedic & EMT positions!!
Whether you're just starting your EMS journey or bringing years of experience, we offer:
✅ A supportive team environment
✅ Opportunities for advancement
✅ Competitive pay and healthcare/retirement benefits
✅ Progressive protocols
📍 Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
📆 Full-Time & Part-Time openings available
Apply today using the link on the bottom of this post!
Questions? Reach out to us directly via messenger or call 319-366-2300

https://form.jotform.com/250851816288061

03/17/2026

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Area Ambulance! 🍀

If you happen to see one of our ambulances driving a little… extra festive today, don’t worry, it’s probably just been stolen by a couple of leprechauns. 🚑☘️

Unfortunately, not every unsafe driver has an excuse that fun.

If you’re celebrating tonight:
➡️ Don’t drink and drive
➡️ Call a friend
➡️ Use a rideshare or taxi
➡️ Have a designated driver

A little planning goes a long way and keeps everyone safe.

We’ll be out here regardless, but we’d much rather keep the holiday fun than respond to something preventable.

Stay safe, have fun, and remember to wear green. 🍀

03/10/2026

🚑 A Major Milestone for Area Ambulance Service 🚑

After nearly two years of planning, collaboration, and hard work, today marks a significant achievement for Area Ambulance Service. We are proud to share that we have officially received our letter of review from the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) to host our first paramedic class through the Area Ambulance Training Center Paramedic Program Consortium. This is the first step in becoming fully accredited by CAAHEP!

This milestone represents a major step forward in expanding high-quality paramedic education in our region and investing in the future of EMS.

A sincere thank you to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department for their partnership and collaboration throughout this process, and a special recognition to Training Center Director, Taryn Dugan for her dedication in bring this project across the finish line.

We would also like to thank our community partners - St. Luke's Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, and Marion Fire Department for supporting this program and providing opportunities for our students to gain valuable clinical and field experiences.

We’re excited to begin this next chapter and look forward to training the next generation of paramedics serving our communities.

01/07/2026

We were pleased to welcome Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell at Area Ambulance Service yesterday.

In addition to discussing the important work our crews do every day for the Cedar Rapids community, Mayor O’Donnell also had the chance to meet a few of our four-legged coworkers. Several of our administrators bring their dogs to work, which has been a great addition to workplace morale and wellness.

We appreciate Mayor O’Donnell taking the time to visit, engage with our team, and see firsthand the culture, dedication, and professionalism behind our operations.

12/30/2025

🚨 WE ARE STILL IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A FULL TIME DISPATCHER 🚨

Area Ambulance Service is looking for a Dispatcher to join our team and support emergency and non-emergency operations across our community.

🕒 What you’ll do:
• Receive and triage incoming calls
• Coordinate EMS resources and unit assignments
• Communicate with field crews and partnering dispatch agencies
• Support safe, efficient patient care from behind the scenes

✅ What we’re looking for:
• Calm under pressure
• Strong communication and multitasking skills
• Attention to detail and reliability
• Prior dispatch or public safety experience preferred (not required)

📍 Why Area Ambulance Service?
Be part of a mission-driven, community-focused EMS organization where dispatchers are recognized as a critical link in patient care.

👉 Interested? Apply today by visiting our website at www.area-ambulance.org or use the link below for direct access to our electronic application.

https://form.jotform.com/250851816288061

12/25/2025

🚑 Merry Christmas from Area Ambulance Service! 🎄

While many are gathered around the tree with family and friends today, our dedicated first responders are on duty — ready to answer the call whenever our community needs us. ❤️

We’re proud of our EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and all emergency personnel who give their time and hearts to keep everyone safe, even on the holidays.

From all of us at Area Ambulance Service, we wish you a safe, healthy, and joyful Christmas! 🎅🎁