RAA celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Friday, September 23, 2011 and invited the public to participate in this special occasion during an open house at RAA headquarters from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

“Before the Richmond Ambulance Authority was created 20 years ago, the EMS system in Richmond was in disarray,” said Chip Decker, chief executive officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority.  “There were different ambulance companies operating in the City and service was often poor if the ambulance showed up at all.  There was no accountability.  Today, Richmond has one of the finest EMS systems in the world, and that is something for all of us to celebrate.”

The 20th Anniversary Open House included a brief formal presentation, with special recognitions from both Governor McDonnell and Richmond City Council.    Dr. Joseph McMenamin, founding Board member and former Chairman, served as the keynote speaker and provided an insightful overview of two decades of EMS services to the City of Richmond.  There were booths featuring the history of RAA, the history of EMS, and the Rider Alert motorcycle safety initiative that RAA launched in the United States last spring.  Bon Secours was on-site providing health screenings, including blood pressure and glucose checks, and the Virginia Department of Health provided information on car seat installations, and Zoll Medical was on hand with demonstrations and a contest for providing proper chest compression CPR.  RAA’s bike medic team was showing their expertise with bike demonstrations, while vehicles from RAA, Forest View Volunteer, West End Volunteer, and Bon Secours were on hand for tours and questions.  After years of absence, RAA’s mascot ParaBear made an appearance to the delight of adults and kids alike.  Kids were also treated to EMS tattoos and coloring sheets.

“Thanks to the creation of the Richmond Ambulance Authority, we have had 20 years of not only reliable, but exceptional pre-hospital healthcare here in Richmond and this is something that so many people throughout the world, and even in this country, don’t have,” continued Decker. “Richmond’s emergency medical system has been transformed and, as a result, many lives have been saved.”