Family Owned Fallon Ambulance Celebrates 65 Years of Service

Fallon Ambulance Service, a three-generation, family-operated ambulance service with headquarters in Milton is celebrating its 65th year of service to communities in the Boston area.

Fallon Ambulance Service has survived decades of corporate takeovers and buyouts, leaving them in the position of being one the last remaining independent, family owned ambulance companies in Massachusetts. Fallon Ambulance has been run successfully by the family since 1936 and continues to enjoy tremendous growth, making them the largest independent ambulance company in the area.

Tim Fallon, CEO of Fallon Ambulance, noted that the company has worked at remaining an independent force despite the growing trend to the contrary. "The trend in the ambulance industry and healthcare in general has been toward consolidation," said Fallon. "We remember a time when greater Boston had between ten and fifteen, small, independent ambulance companies. Our strategy is to continue to emphasize personal and community service."

"We're proud of our 65 years of providing excellent service and education to our communities and we enjoy being an integral part of these wonderful towns. We have the privilege of working hand in hand with some of the best medical facilities in the world," said Fallon.

The company works hard to be a vital part of the community. Over the past few years, Fallon Ambulance has donated 12 ambulances to the Friends of Poland organization that then sends the ambulances to the poor rural areas of Poland that would ordinarily go without medical care. The company recently donated an ambulance to earthquake-ravaged El Salvador and to the New England Aquarium for use in transporting injured sea animals. The company is a frequent contributor to the U.S.S. Salem and the sponsor of many activities on the South Shore. The company also provides health education to many communities and organizations.

The program known as "Bringing Families Together," provides transportation for individuals in nursing homes and hospital facilities throughout the greater Boston area who want to be with families on holidays or special occasions but could not otherwise arrange transportation.

Over the past decade, more than 3,000 people have used the service for transportation to holiday events, weddings and other special events. The firm provides a vehicle and driver and charges $20 each way to defray costs, although they have never turned anyone away for inability to pay.

They also maintain a high visibility at a number of events, including road races, sporting tournaments and the like. In fact, at the 1999 Ryder Cup Tournament, two of Fallon's paramedics were instrumental in saving the life of a spectator. A 49-year-old man fell to the ground in cardiac arrest. The Fallon paramedics utilized their state-of-the-art defibrillator, got his heartbeat going again, and transported him to a Boston hospital. The paramedics and the company were honored by town officials for their quick thinking.

While Fallon Ambulance has certainly joined the technological age - maintaining its own web site and utilizing the latest in equipment - callers will still talk to "live human beings" and get that personal attention that often seems part of a bygone era. The "personal touch" has worked to keep Fallon as a local and regional favorite.

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.