Chaplain Corp
The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority is a nonprofit organization created in 1977 by the Kanawha County Commission under the Emergency Services Act of 1975. The primary purpose of the Ambulance Authority has been to provide emergency ambulance service to the citizens of Kanawha County.
The Authority has continued to grow and evolve since its inception in order to meet the needs of a changing community. With this growth, the employee base has doubled in size along with a greater call volume. Stress is an ever-present commodity for the EMS worker and at times is much greater than many may realize.
Starting in August 2000, a Chaplain group was created in West Virginia with the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority utilizing the military chaplain design, since most EMS is paramilitary in structure. The program is unbiased, non-denominational, and mirrors the military's tolerance and respect for all spiritual beliefs.
Chaplains exist to offer appropriate peer support to those in need through a comforting, caring and compassionate manner. EMS (Emergency Medical Service) Chaplains are truly home missionaries, providing a necessary witness of the love of God based on Scripture. A Chaplain may minister outside the traditional boundaries of the local church, within a unique subculture of people, such as to the men and women in emergency services.
Due to the very nature of emergency services, the EMS Chaplain must be available for assistance at all times, and must be a specifically trained individual who has been called by God to serve in this capacity.
The Chaplain does not replace the home church or pastor, but seeks to support the concern of every church for its members who may be in professions with special risks or needs. Moreover, the Chaplain must be for the advantage of every member of the Department, regardless of his or her nationality, race, sex or religion.
MEDICAL TRANSPORT 304-342-1107
Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority
601 Brooks Street, Charleston WV 25301
304.345.2312 800.560.2055