11/10/2023
In 1988, Marcus Whitacre and Byron Parsons came together to create a service focused on excellent patient care. That vision has been carried out for over 35 years. We have been through a few changes and growth spurts along the way. We have employed hundreds of EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, medical billing staff, vehicle service technicians and other administrative staff.
Many have gone on to become doctors, nurses, physician assistants and many other professions. We value their time spent with us.
We started out branding ourselves as Chico Paramedic Rescue. When our business expanded beyond Chico, we took on the corporate name First Responder Emergency Medical Services. This helped us operate in other parts of Butte County like Paradise and Oroville, as well as the Sacramento area.
In 2012, we partnered with Enloe Medical Center to create Butte County EMS. This partnership has been steadfast through the last decade. We value our long history with Enloe and have been blessed to be a partner with that organization in elevating the health of our community.
Now, after 35 years, it’s time to say goodbye. The owners of First Responder, Byron and Louwane Parsons, have retired. First Responder will now step aside with the full confidence that our partner, Enloe Health, will take full membership of Butte County EMS and continue the quest of providing that excellent patient care that Byron and Marcus envisioned in those early days.
Consider this the last official post from First Responder as a member of Butte County EMS. But do not worry; the ambulance crews are not skipping any beats. You will see the ambulances operating without any interruptions.
Thank you, Butte County, for the honor of providing emergency services to you. We have been blessed.
