American Fork Ambulance

Throughout the years, American Fork Ambulance has proven to provide only the highest level of care to the citizens of the city. Many changes have taken place within the department to accomplish this.

Private providers owned and operated local ambulance service until the volunteer unit sponsored by American Fork City went into service in 1970. Previous service was provided for more than 20 years by Anderson and Sons Mortuary. They announced in late 1962 that they would discontinue the ambulance service on December 31st of that year.

Private Ambulance Service
James Christensen, assisted by contributions by American Fork City, American Fork Hospital and Dr. Guy A. Richards, established a private ambulance service. Dispatch service was through American Fork Hospital, where Christensen was chief X-ray technician. The city provided funds to purchase equipment. Dr. Richards contributed a 1962 Chevrolet station wagon, and the hospital provided equipment and some supplies.

In announcing the new Christensen Ambulance Service, Christensen emphasized that the service would be provided to American Fork and area residents on a 24-hour basis, 7 days a week. The new service went into operation January 1, 1963. The ambulance was stationed at the hospital with all calls for assistance received and dispatched through the hospital switchboard. It was noted that Christensen’s extensive training in emergency medicine made him well qualified to meet the urgent community need for ambulance service.

After 7 years of 24-7 service, Christensen announced that he would discontinue ambulance service as of January 1, 1970. The city utilized the Pleasant Grove and Lehi ambulance service until Councilman Malcolm Beck could organize a city sponsored unit.