Toombs-Montgomery EMS Unveils New Ambulance

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Toombs-Montgomery EMS showed their support for a paramedic who has spent over 20 years saving lives with the agency as they unveiled their new ambulance on Monday, January 5.

Retired Paramedic Laurie Holland has served her community for two decades, responding to emergencies as a paramedic and a dedicated EMS educator, providing the foundation for many paramedics and EMT officials in the region who were starting their careers. More recently, she was elected the Montgomery County Coroner, where she has been able to give back and serve her hometown.

“Laurie has dedicated her life to serving others while pro- continued from page

viding compassionate care [to patients] in their most critical moments,” Toombs- Montgomery EMS Director Drew James emphasized. “She is exactly the paramedic that you want coming to you or your family in a time of need. She is the epitome of EMS who holds our profession, department, and its personnel to the highest standards.”

He continued, “Beyond serving the public, Laurie always goes above and beyond in supporting and helping her own –from recognizing personal milestones to helping raise funds for those in need, Laurie’s heart and service to others goes far beyond the EMS uniform.”

Unfortunately, Holland was diagnosed with Amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or often called Lou Gehrig’s disease) on March 26, 2024, which led to her retirement. “The love and support that she has poured into others has been returned to her as she faces this disease head on,” Holland’s anonymous nomination wrote. “The disease has not only had an effect on Laurie and her family, but has been felt with her EMS brothers and sisters.”

After her diagnosis, the Toombs-Montgomery EMS first responders began searching for ways that they could show their support to Holland and her family. “Whenever this project started, our department came forth and started knocking on my door – they really wanted to do something special for Laurie, and it was pretty obvious to us what we needed to do,” James remarked.

The Department worked closely with Custom Truck and Body Works to create a vehicle that would serve as a daily reminder of the group’s love and support for their fellow paramedic. This new ambulance dons the phrase “Team Laurie” across its side in blue, as the ALS Awareness ribbon flows across the side of the truck. A heart composed of Holland’s grandchildren’s handprints are also showcased on the side of the truck, as the vehicle is not just support for Holland, but for her family.

Holland was surprised with the vehicle during an official dedication service on Monday, January 5, as her family, coworkers, and members of the community gathered at the Toombs County EMA Building to celebrate the occasion.

The vehicle was officially placed into service by a call out on the Toombs-Montgomery EMS’s radio, which stated, “Laurie Holland, it is with great honor that we stand beside you as you have done for us. May God continue to bless you all.”

According to James, ambulances typically remain in use around 8-10 years before having to be replaced, meaning they help to impact 2,500 to 3,000 calls per year – a total of around 10,000 miles each year. Thus, the vehicle will serve as a reminder of the group’s support and love for years to come. During the ceremony, State Senator Blake Tillery presented Holland with an official senate proclamation recognizing her dedication and service to the community, as well as a letter from Governor Brian Kemp thanking Holland for all the time she had dedicated to helping those in need.

“We love you. We support you. We’re here with you. And while you care about us, we care about you, too,” Tillery emphasized. “We’re proud we’ve been able to be involved in your life, and we’re glad you’ve been able to be involved in our lives. We look forward to supporting you through this fight and through everything else that comes our way in the next few years.”

To close the ceremony, James thanked all individuals who helped to design, create, or hide the vehicle until its unveiling. Each attendee was given a commemorative pin, showcasing a small-scale model of the ambulance with Holland’s paramedic number at the bottom. One of Holland’s former EMS students – Vidalia Assistant Fire Chief Robert Tillman – closed the ceremony with a prayer and a few of his own sentiments. “Laurie, you have been an incredible resource for people out there,” he emphasized.

The new ambulance is officially in service and has began responding to emergencies and saving lives, just as Holland always has.

GRANDCHILDREN INVOLVED IN DESIGN – Holland’s grandchildren were also involved in the design of the new ambulance, as the truck features a heart made up of their handprints. (Shown) Holland poses in front of the vehicle with her family.Photo by Makaylee Randolph