The Beginning of an EMS Service in Devine
Devine Emergency Medical Services
"We will never forget your dedication and service to our communities. Thank You for your Service"
Devine EMS (1974-2005: License # 163004)
In 1974, under the leadership of Mayor Harvey Squire, the City of Devine acquired State of Texas License to Operate an EMS service. The city at that time asked for Volunteer's to run the service. Mr. Don Lawrence was hired by the City of Devine as Manager of the newly formed Devine EMS. This service was operated by the volunteers from 1974 to 2005. The volunteers of Devine EMS provided excellent services to the district's citizens, 24 hours a day 365 days a year for 30 years. We honor their service and dedication to the citizens of our District and will forever be remembered by many.
Devine Volunteer EMS Leadership 1974-2006
Mayor Harvey Squire
Advocated for a City Owned & Operated State Certified Emergency Medical Service The only city in Medina County to ever do so.
Don Lawrence
EMT / EMS Director
1974-1985
Patrick Bourcier
EMT-Paramedic 1977-1985
Paramedic / EMS Director
1985 - 2000 / 2005-2006
Martha Johnson
Paramedic / EMS Director
2000 - 2001
Tony Martin
Paramedic / EMS Director
2002-2003
Tim Frick
EMT-A / EMS CoDirector
2004-2005
Devine EMS Auxiliary and The Devine Area Hospice
The Devine EMS Auxiliary was formed out of necessity. There was a period when the City of Devine could no longer afford to provide EMS Services outside its city limits. Budgets were tight and with 65% of the call volume outside the city and less than 10% of the budget coming from the county, services were at risk for those outside the city. This prompted several concerned citizens to work in conjunction with the EMS Director Pat Bourcier, in forming the Devine EMS Auxiliary. Because of the efforts of this Auxiliary, necessary funding was raised for several years that insured the continuation of services to the citizens outside the city limits of Devine. These Auxiliary members worked tirelessly year after year in raising in excess of $200,000 to purchase the needed equipment for quality medical care. Additionally, they were instrumental in working alongside Devine Area Hospice to secure another $250,000 for the purchase of 2 new ambulances. Between the Auxiliary and the Devine Area Hospice, the City of Devine EMS was given over $500,000 dollars in equipment purchases. Without fanfare. The citizens of south Medina County and the Devine EMS were truly blessed to have such caring organizations that gave so much for so many.
Mildred Rohmer
Jack Rohmer
Carol Rackley
L.W. Rackley
Jewel Hibdon
Vernon Hibdon
Erma Steen
Wayne Steen
Laura Dubose
Lena blunt
Bill Blunt
Pat Wagner
Ron Wagner
Lothel Dubose
Pat Gillig
Ralph Gillig
Neva Odell
Marvin Odell
Roland Jonas
Pam Dickens
Bill Grage
Audrey Grage
Irene Gunther
Lorine Keller
Margie Newbrough
Emergency Medical Services District # 4
In 2006, ESD # 4 was created as a means to bring permanent and sufficient financial support to the EMS Services already in existence. Devine EMS was owned and operated by the City of Devine since 1974 but over the years the coverage area of the City's EMS service continued to expand and grow and the financial burden had become more than the City of Devine could bear alone. The citizens of District # 4 voted to create the Emergency Services District # 4, which encompassed the entire area previously covered by the City EMS Service. At that time the Medina County Commissioners Court approved the creation of the District and a Board of Directors was appointed. In 2006 the City of Devine officially turned over the operations to the ESD # 4 district.
Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another. ~Erma Bombeck
