GREENVILLE, OH—The owners of Spirit Medical Transport LLC didn’t let COVID-19 dampen the spirits of the company’s annual Christmas party. In fact, they took the party to new heights.
As employees and
their families gathered virtually and in their own cars for a drive-in style
Christmas party, owners Brian K. Hathaway and Aaron Guthrie made a phone call
to Santa and asked whether he could fly to the Christmas party. Within minutes,
spectators at the drive-in event watched the sky as Santa came in for a landing
on the racetrack of the Darke County Fairgrounds.
Drive-in and
virtual attendees were personally delivered a home-cooked meal, wrapped
packages for their children, gift cards, and awards.
The evening started
out with a moment of silence in remembrance of Jack Rader, a Spirit employee
who died earlier this year. Rader’s name and photo has been added to the back
of the Spirit memorial ambulance, which bears the names of three other former
Spirit employees and supporters.
Despite a drastic
reduction in calls for the year overall, the company was able to maintain its
employee base and avoid layoffs. The owners applauded their employees and the
families who supported one another during the challenging year.
“Our employees and
their families have remained strong, and we want to show our investment in each
of you for the dedication you have shown,” Guthrie said. “Our employees are the
backbone of our business, and we want to equip you with the best of the best
anytime we can.”
The owners revealed
one new 2020 Dodge Caravan, three new 2020 Dodge wheelchair vans, four fully
stocked 2020 Ford Transit Medix ambulances, two fully stocked 2021 Ford E-350
Medix box ambulances, four new Ferno Power X1 cots, one Ferno iNX power load
stretcher with new bariatric component capable of lifting patients up to 1,100
pounds, 10 new Lifepak 15 cardiac monitors with specialized components, six new
Toughbook computers, and one Hercules 6000 automatic car wash.
“Over the past
three years as a company we have made a significant investment into having one
of the best fleet of vehicles on the road,” Hathaway explained. “To save our
employees precious time from having to hand wash their new vehicles at the end
of their shift, they will now be able to have it washed from top to bottom in a
matter of minutes, thanks to the new automatic wash system we have purchased.”
The owners also
expressed the gratitude they have of the facilities they serve, and announced
they have 78 facilities on a waiting list wanting the services Spirit offers,
but simply don’t have the personnel to meet the growing demand. The owners also
announced a benefits restructure and monthly raise program.
Spirit Medical
Transport, LLC, employs over 100 people and serves western Ohio and eastern
Indiana with stations in the towns of Greenville, Celina, Van Wert, Sidney, and
Liberty.