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�����Ƶ�It is very rewarding to see where we started and where we are now. We made a lot of progress,�����Ƶ� Merry said. �����Ƶ�When we started there were 24 of us and two ambulances. Fifty years later there are 200 employees and 35 ambulances.�����Ƶ�

EMS services were a new concept that began to develop across the United States between the 1960s and early 1970s when ambulances were not as common or available as today, if not nonexistent.

In May 1974, when funeral homes were the primary source for transportation, there was a need for EMS in Cabell County that was identified by former Cabell County Sheriff Ted Barr, Merry said. Barr recruited 24 men and women who would be the first EMTs and paramedics as part of the sheriff�����Ƶ�s department STOP (Sheriff�����Ƶ�s Technical Officers Patrol), in 1974 to solve the growing issues from lack of emergency services that consumed the county at the time, he said.

The CCEMS workers would work hand-in-hand with the sheriff�����Ƶ�s department, going with deputies on patrol and would catch rides from the officers if one of their modes of transportation broke down.

In the last several decades, CCEMS has grown with eight stations, soon to be nine, placed across the county to better serve Cabell County residents, all being debt-free to taxpayers, Cabell County Commission President Kelli Sobonya said. CCEMS has also been instrumental in incorporating innovate programs such as the prehospital ground transport blood administration program, a partnership with St. Mary�����Ƶ�s Medical Center. The programs allow CCEMS to administer blood before patients arrive at the hospital. Merry said Cabell County was the first in West Virginia to incorporate the program.

Jim Scheidler, one of the original paramedics in the STOP group, said it was �����Ƶ�tremendous�����Ƶ� to see how far along CCEMS has come.

�����Ƶ�He has also been instrumental in passing crucial levies that fund our EMS system and providing mutual aid to neighboring counties in emergencies,�����Ƶ� Sobonya said.

The picnic also celebrated the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week, May 19-25. It�����Ƶ�s a time to show gratitude toward EMTs and paramedics who provide lifesaving care across the nation every day, according to NAEMT.

During the 50th anniversary picnic and celebration, EMT Dawn Lanham was awarded �����Ƶ�EMT of the Year�����Ƶ� and Justin Chapman was awarded �����Ƶ�Paramedic of the Year.�����Ƶ�

The picnic celebrated the 50th anniversary by unveiling CCEMS �����Ƶ�50th anniversary ambulance�����Ƶ� that has a picture of all 24 STOP ambulance EMT and paramedics. Merry said this was the first year all of the STOP ambulance workers attended the picnic together.

John Davis, Bob Adkins, Terry Walker, Larry Adkins, Dallen Fields, Danny McQueen, Mac Stacy, Rex Smith, Herman Hensley, Dave Billups, Ted Barr and Karen McCoy were the original STOP ambulance employees who attended the 50th anniversary, according to Merry.

CCEMS administration, staff, friends and family also celebrated Merry�����Ƶ�s 50 years at CCEMS.