Stone County Ambulance District breaks ground on new headquarters in Branson West

With shovels in hand and another milestone reached, the Stone County Ambulance District is continuing to build a system designed to get help where it is needed when minutes matter most.

The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate the groundbreaking of the Stone County Ambulance District’s new Station 1 and headquarters Thursday, Sept. 17. The new facility will be built on a 4-acre site on Silver Spur Street, behind Branson West Marine and Powersports.

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TOP: EMS personnel celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Stone County Ambulance District Station 1 and headquarters in Branson West; BOTTOM: Stone County Ambulance District board members break ground Sept. 17 for the new Station 1 and headquarters in Branson West. (Photos by Joelene Powell)

Chris Daugherty, chairman of the Stone County Ambulance District Board of Directors, said the headquarters will serve as the central hub for the district’s growing network of stations and place crews near the county’s highest call volume with access to major transportation corridors.

“This groundbreaking is about more than moving dirt,” Daugherty said. “It represents our commitment to serve this county going forward.”

As the countdown reached one, district board members put their shovels into the ground, officially marking the beginning of construction. Taking part were Daugherty; Vice Chairman Samuel Woodall; Secretary/Treasurer Linda Slaughter; and board members Scott Weekley, Jerry Jenkins and Corey Eutsler.

Stone County voters approved formation of the district and a half-cent sales tax in April 2024 to establish sustainable ambulance service, reduce response times and save lives. The district was officially formed in August 2024.

Since then, the district has contracted with Mercy EMS to provide 24/7 emergency medical response and hired Jeff Hawkins as executive director. Station 2 serves the Branson West and Kimberling City area, the donated facility in Lampe became Station 3, Station 4 in Crane is operational and Station 5 is under development in Galena. The district has also ordered six new ambulances, according to Daugherty.

Daugherty said the Station 1 site was selected to help reduce response times by placing crews where calls are concentrated while providing efficient routes for emergency response and patient transport.

Branson West City Administrator Steve Dalton said the station’s central location and access to Highway 76 will allow emergency vehicles to enter and exit quickly, helping reduce response times.

“Opening the ambulance bay at this location is great for everyone,” Dalton said. “There is not another spot like it for emergency vehicles to enter and exit Highway 76, allowing for faster response times no matter which direction they are coming from, north, south, east or west.”

Branson West Mayor Nita Jane Ayres said the new headquarters represents years of work by people throughout Stone County.

“Branson West is honored to be home to the Stone County Ambulance District Headquarters. This represents the culmination of efforts by many people in our county. The subdivision’s name at this location is Citadel Ridge, which is fitting for the Ambulance District and how they will act as a sentry on this high point to watch, serve and protect our residents and visitors,” Ayres said.

Ayres told the Globe that former Missouri State Sen. Doyle Childers of Reeds Spring played an early role in the effort, working on legislation involving ambulance districts more than two decades ago.

Childers said seeing Stone County residents receive the level of ambulance service he envisioned years ago makes the years of work in Jefferson City meaningful.

“I am thrilled to see Stone County folks having the quality of service I imagined 20-plus years ago when I was working the legislation through the snags and obstacles in Jefferson City,” Childers said. “We are so fortunate to have an ambulance board that's exceeding my expectations in implementing the voters mandate for our district.”

Daugherty said the area had been part of the district’s growth plan for about a year, but suitable real estate was not available. Daugherty thanked the Ayres family for making the property available for purchase.

Developer Andy Mackey recognized those who helped bring the project to this point and the first responders who serve families when they need them most. Mackey recalled the paramedics who responded when members of Mackey’s family needed help.

“On our worst days, my mom’s worst day, the paramedics show up and they bring her flowers,” Mackey said.

Mackey also spoke about growth coming to Branson West and said Mackey could not help but see God’s hand in how the property and project came together. Mackey thanked the Ayres family, Great River Engineering, builders, city officials and others who helped make it possible.

“It was truly a team approach,” Mackey said.

The new Station 1 and headquarters will house two 24-hour ambulance crews, administrative offices and space for training, meetings and collaboration with other emergency service agencies. The facility will serve as the central hub for the district’s satellite stations throughout Stone County.

For more information about the Stone County Ambulance District, visit the district’s official website or follow Stone County Ambulance District on Facebook.