
History of Erway Ambulance
Erway Ambulance Service originated in 1939 when Harry Erway Sr., a retired postal worker, and his wife Dorthea, a nurse, purchased what was known as James Ambulance from Captain Wilde of the Volunteers of America. Harry Erway Sr., affectionately known as "Pop" Erway to his young employees, began his service with two ambulances and one full time driver who had previously worked for Captain Wilde. Initially, the service was run from the Erway home at 811 Sycamore St. directly behind what is currently known as our "City Station" on Hazel St. The ambulances were stored in an unheated garage behind the house with the attendants bunked in an upstairs room. Dorthea Erway or "Ma" Erway would prepare meals for the attendants and answer the phones. Occasionally, she was known to ride the ambulance when female patients required transport out of town.

Harry Sr. was an American Red Cross instructor and set an enduring precedent of quality by requiring all employees to attain basic Red Cross first aid certification and refresh yearly.



From 1963 to 1972, ambulances were stationed in various locations about Horseheads. The first Horseheads station was an old garage on Eleanor Street behind the current Horseheads library after which we moved to the old fire station at the "Holding Point" (currently known as The Center at Horseheads). Finally, Town and Country Fire station housed the Horseheads ambulance for many years prior to moving to the Sing Sing Rd. station.




