Parking lot is the setting for a training rescue operation on blue Buick

About Us

Since its formation in 1972, the Sioux Center Ambulance Squad has relied heavily on the charitable hearts of those in the community.

Historical Timeline

The Sioux Center community has been dedicated to growing its efficiencies in response to medical emergencies. The timeline below shows general highlights in red and important partnerships in deep blue.

1972
The Sioux Center Ambulance Squad was formed by 14 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students who envisioned a system to provide the community of Sioux Center with medical care on the way to the hospital. Many challenges were presented as the idea soon turned into reality. The first obstacle was to find transportation that could accommodate a person lying flat with additional people attending to them. The first ambulance was a local funeral home’s hearse. In the first year of official service, the crew responded to 107 calls.
Newspaper clippings and notes about emergency calls received by year
1973
Sioux Center News paper clippings from 1972 and 1973
The first “real” ambulance was purchased jointly by the City of Sioux Center and Sioux County. Since that time, Sioux Center Ambulance has purchased and maintained a fleet of 3 advanced level of care ambulances and a Rapid Response vehicle which are ready to respond 24 hours/day, 7 days per week.
More current images showing fleet of four vehicles
Photos from 80s showing snowmobile and firs-aid trailer
1977
Helicopter just taking flight
Air ambulance service starts.
Green and white helicopter in parking lot of Sioux Center mall
Intensive Air helicopter on landing pad
1985
Black and white photo of three people sitting at table with defibrillator
The State of Iowa completed a study using automatic defibrillators. Sioux Center Ambulance was selected to participate in this study.
1989
Sioux Center Ambulance was the first squad in the region to become a provisional paramedic squad. This allowed the squad to provide advanced emergency care to the citizens of Sioux Center and surrounding communities that did not have advance level squads.
Newspaper clipping stating "Sioux Center helps at plane crash"
SCEMS responds to United Airlines Flight 232 crash at Sioux City Gateway Airport.
2002
The LIFEPAK 12 defibrillator from the early 2000s
Sioux Center Ambulance was the first squad in the area to use an advanced defibrillator. This device was known as the LIFEPAK 12. Since that time, the LIFEPAKs have been updated and are capable of much more technological advances such as transmitting EKG’s via Bluetooth directly to the hospital.
2004
Red truck with rehab trailer in parking lot
The Sioux Center Ambulance Rehabilitation Trailer was built. This was built in response to the need for a mobile incident command center. The rehab trailer was designed for disasters, search and rescue missions, and for monitoring the health of the rescue workers involved in these operations. The rehab trailer also housed a 4-wheel Gator to respond to off-road emergencies.
6-wheeled John Deere Gator with driver and passenger
2011
Sioux Center Ambulance built a state-of-the-art emergency services station. The building hosts several offices, training/conference room equipped with advanced technology, an apparatus bay to house all EMS vehicles, personnel lockers, laundry facilities, and supply room. The second level was built with the future in mind. It was designed to have paramedics on location for their shift. It also hosts living quarters, full kitchen, workout room and bedrooms.
2012
White mobile trailer parked on gravel
The Sioux County Sheriff's Office partnered with the Sioux Center Ambulance Rehab and Incident Command Trailer. The trailer had the capability to function as a 911 dispatch station if needed by the Sheriff's Office.
2013
Sioux Center Ambulance hired a Chief Medic to oversee day to day operations and continue to promote Sioux Center Ambulance as the leader of EMS care in Northwest Iowa.
2016
Sioux Center Ambulance added part-time medics to the roster to meet the demanding need for advance level of care and call volume.
2016
Metal badge of the Sioux County Sheriff's Office
The Sioux County Sheriff's office assumed sole ownership of the command trailer.
2017
American Heart Association logo (red heart and torch)
The Sioux Center Ambulance adopted Mission: Lifeline. Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s advance system of care to patients with life threatening heart attacks and strokes. All 3 ambulances are equipped to meet the guidelines to provide advanced level of care, and when needed, can go directly to hospitals with advanced services that smaller hospitals do not have. Once an EKG is obtained, this can be transmitted directly to a Cardiologist and the medical team can determine the best destination for the patient. The goal is to reduce time for the patient with life threatening medical problems.
2020
White rapid response vehicle on gravel road at sunset
The Rapid Response vehicle was added to the fleet. This vehicle is intended to respond directly to the emergency as soon as Sioux Center Ambulance is dispatched. The goal is to provide advanced level of care to determine the best course of action for the patient.
2024
Sioux Center Ambulance continues to build the paramedic staff to provide 24 hours/7 days per week medic coverage. In addition to the Chief Medic, there are 2 full-time medics and 3 part-time medics.

Call Volume and Hours

The Sioux Center Ambulance Squad responded to 715 calls in 2024. This continues to increase each year.
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Our calls consist of patient transports, paramedic assists, flight service transports, interfacility transports, fire standby, and special events within the community.
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Paramedic services can be requested from the surrounding communities of Hull, Ireton, Maurice, and Hudson, South Dakota.

Our response time to the scene of an emergency is below the national standard. That means, we arrive to critical scenes quickly.
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Our crew members - both paid and volunteers, are responsible for billing, ordering supplies, vehicle maintenance, maintaining electronic equipment, scheduling, training, fulfilling education requirements for staying current on state regulation, and teaching classes in the community.

Together, the squad will log approximately 13,100 hours of volunteer service annually.

Community Involvement

The Sioux Center Ambulance Squad is proud to work hand in hand with Sioux Center Health, the Sioux Center Fire Department, and the Sioux County Sheriff's Office. Together, we provide comprehensive care for our patients and citizens. The members of the squad contribute to its community by:

  • providing EMS personnel and ambulances at sporting events for Sioux Center Community High School and Dordt University including regional sporting events; community events such as SiouxperMan Triathlon, Special Olympics, the previous SiouxSpeedway, Sioux County Youth Fair, and RAGBRAI
  • teaching CPR courses, first responder training, bike safety programs, and drunk driving awareness
  • maintaining Automatic External Defibrillators that are in place at several churches, businesses, and the police department to ensure equipment compatibility to our devices
Logo for Sioux Center Ambulance
410 N. Main Avenue
P.O. Box 313
Sioux Center, Iowa 51250
712-722-2453

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