Bemidji Ambulance
Dedicating time, knowledge, skill, and service to those in need.
QUICK STATS
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Skilled ALS ambulance service running Paramedic-EMT teams
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Brand new facility featuring state-of-the-art education resources and comfortable amenities
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Our full-time team members work 12-hour shifts with a 4 days on, 4 days off schedule
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Annual call volume of over 6000 requests for service answered by 5 duty crews
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Primary Service Area covers two counties and three municipalities, in addition to mutual aid agreements with surrounding agencies
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Interfacility transfers to Fargo, Grand Forks, Duluth, Twin Cities, Rochester, and more
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Recently expanded to second station to better serve customers and EMS partners
Company History
Bemidji Ambulance Service has been providing emergency medical services to Bemidji and surrounding areas for over 60 years. It has been owned and managed by three generations of the LaCoursiere family during this time.
The original municipal ambulance service was purchased by Merle LaCoursiere in 1961 and renamed to Bemidji Ambulance Service. He built ambulances out of station wagons, SUVs and vans, outfitting them with shelving and cabinets to rival factory built rigs. Merle grew the business and added equipment to better serve the rugged northern Minnesota terrain, including an ambulance snowmobile and four-wheel drive truck.
Business changed hands to Merle’s son, Scott LaCoursiere, in the early 1980s. Prior to running the business, Scott worked as a paramedic and got his start on the trucks at age 16. He continued to grow and diversify the business, and Bemidji Ambulance Service expanded into an advanced life support (ALS) provider in 1988 with the purchase of advanced life-saving equipment for the trucks, which by this time had been updated to modular ambulances, and staffing paramedics on every crew.
Fast forward to today, Andrew LaCoursiere is the third generation presiding over the company his family built. Bemidji Ambulance Service is responding to call volumes that are eight times their original numbers in the 1960s, with no signs of slowing. Meeting the needs of a changing health landscape and forging partnerships with regional hospitals and other EMS providers are critical to success. As we grow our team and increase community education, we continue our commitment to providing and improving prehospital care.
Leaders in EMS
With over 100 years of combined EMS experience as providers at all levels, our leadership team sets an expectation of excellence for the company. Bemidji Ambulance continues to evolve and grow to meet future needs under their guidance and dedication.
Service Partners
We frequently work with Bemidji City Police, Bemidji Fire Department, and Beltrami County Sheriff while on scene. Our crews mutually support and receive assistance from EMS agencies and first responders in Cass Lake, Blackduck, Bagley and Hubbard County when needed.
In addition, we interface daily with medical staff at area hospitals, collegiate sports events, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, businesses, nonprofits and more.
Continuous Improvement
Over our 60 years we’ve gone through constant change. New developments in lifesaving technology. Maintaining a hardy fleet that can withstand the rigors of 911 urgency and high-mileage transfers. Staying on the cutting edge of evidence-based emergency care. Supporting our regional first responder agencies with state-of-the-art EMS training.
There’s something to learn from every call. That’s our commitment to saving lives. Interested in taking your EMS education to the next level?
