Hospers, Iowa – The Hospers EMS Fundraising Committee announced a significant boost to its capital campaign with a $75,000 gift from Orange City Area Health System (OCAHS). The donation—part of a three‑year, $25,000‑per‑year commitment from the health system — moves the community closer to its $2.8 million goal to build a new, modern facility for local first responders.

According to Mandy Boersma, fundraising committee chair, the dream of building a new facility for the Hospers Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Department has been an ongoing conversation for 12 years. “This new 7-bay building, housing the fire and ambulance personnel, will be a vast improvement over what we have now,” commented Boersma. “We have over $2 million committed to our project so far, by County and City support and private donations, including this generous contribution by Orange City Area Health System.”

The partnership between Hospers EMS and Orange City Area Health System extends beyond this financial support. The health system, which also owns and operates a family medicine clinic in Hospers, has an affiliation agreement with the Hospers EMS services, including administrative support from OCAHS’ EMS Manager Krysten Haan, Paramedic, and Tyler Faber, MD, one of the health system’s doctors who serves as the EMS Medical Director. “We assist with their Continuous Quality Improvement plan, provide monthly trainings, offer purchasing of supplies through our materials management, and provide advanced-level services,” explained Haan.

“OCAHS has been a vital part of our team,” remarked Boersma, “not only through providing medical attention with ER and hospital services, but also support to our team members via paramedic-assists and mental health needs when necessary.” She added that 90 percent of Hospers ambulance transports go to Orange City Area Health System.