The Interview: Jim Santos and Ken Schumacher Celebrate 100 Years of Combined Volunteerism
We interviewed Jim and Ken. Watch them reminisce in this three-minute video.
Our Annual Appeal Letter
Hello Neighbor,
2025 marks my 50th year as a volunteer with Southern Berkshire Ambulance. My good friend, Ken Schumacher, is celebrating his 49th. Together, we’ve seen a lot of change. But one thing hasn’t: We are there when you need us—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
When you need a back-up or a paramedic, one of our three teams is there for you. We are the linchpin of ambulance care in South County, the largest rural area in the state. We provide far more mutual aid support than we request of surrounding services.
Emergency Medical Service is tough work. What keeps us going? It is the fact that we can help so many people. Recently, a local man suffered a major stroke. Because our paramedic crew arrived quickly and began treatment right at the scene, he walked out of the hospital three days later—with no lasting impairment. If he had to wait for treatment at the emergency room, his outcome—and his life—might be very different.
No one calls the ambulance because they are having a good day. When the call comes in, our team races to the scene knowing folks are scared. To do our job well requires intensive training, a steady hand, and a deep well of empathy for those we serve.
These are challenging times for your ambulance service. Federal Medicaid and Medicare funding cuts are all but certain. Insurance premiums continue to rise, meaning more uninsured patients and fewer reimbursed calls. And like every EMS ambulance organization in the county, we must offer competitive wages to keep skilled paramedics and EMTs in our rural community to continue to serve our neighbors.
Here is our reality: It now takes two years to receive delivery of a new ambulance. We recently ordered two. Our oldest is 12 years old—well past its expected lifespan—and each replacement costs close to $500,000. Add to that our investments in our new rapid response paramedic car, updated cardiac monitors, automated stretchers and chairs, and ongoing training, and the financial challenge becomes clear: WE NEED YOUR HELP. The best gift is the one that saves lives!
This community has always been generous to us. This year, that generosity matters more than ever. The life you save could be your own. Please, give what you can—by scanning the code or visiting our website.
With gratitude,
Jim Santos
50 Year Volunteer & President, SBAS
Ken Schumacher
49-Year Volunteer & Board Member
If you prefer to donate by check:
Southern Berkshire Ambulance, 31 Lewis Ave. Great Barrington, MA 01230
Our Squad’s Fly Car Gets Lettering
Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad’s new intercept vehicle, also known as a fly car, lets our advanced paramedics meet a basic/EMT ambulance en route from one of our neighboring towns. Certain procedures can only be administered by a paramedic rather than an EMT. This service helps us save lives throughout South County by initiating care en route, rather than waiting to arrive at Fairview Emergency.
Squad Faces
Video: How to Spot and Treat Hypothermia
If anyone knows cold weather, it is the folks at Canadian Red Cross. Here is a video they made on how to spot and treat hypothermia.
Toy Ambulances: In Honor of the Holidays
Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad recently signed purchase commitments to take delivery of two new ambulances, one in late 2026 and one in early 2027. For the holidays, we thought we might feature some vintage ambulance toys! Did you ever play with one as a kid?
Whether it is a holiday or not, we work 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Our paramedics and EMTs earn double pay on holidays. Their sacrifice keeps us all safe!
Thanks for reading this! We will be back next month with more news and information to keep you safe and help you live your best life. We are working on some great options and presentations for our partner towns for this cycle’s budget.
About Southern Berkshire Ambulance
SBA provides primary 911 coverage for the towns of Alford, Ashley Falls, Egremont, Great Barrington, Housatonic, Monterey, Mount Washington, and Sheffield. SBA also covers the portion of southern Stockbridge known as the Furnace District.
SBA provides advanced lifesaving paramedic intercept services to the towns of New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, and West Stockbridge when available. SBA supports ambulance needs throughout the county through formal mutual aid agreements covering most of the southern half of Berkshire County.
We are a nonprofit and rely on you to fund our operations. Click here to donate.
