Tribe gives ambulance to Tri-Town service
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, officials of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and the town of Aquinnah gathered in the Tribe's administrative building for a ceremony to bless the newest addition to the Tri-town ambulance fleet.
Chief Medicine Man Luther T. Madison performed the rites. It is likely a 2002 Ford E-450 ambulance with 58,000 miles was never so honored.
Photo by Peter Simon
Bret Stearns, director of the natural resources department, acquired the vehicle through an Indian Health Service Program. "There were only nine ambulances available nationwide," said Mr. Stearns. "We were fortunate to receive the vehicle."
The ambulance it will replace was removed from service in June. That ambulance was also acquired by the Tribe and donated to the town for use in the regional ambulance service that serves the towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark, and West Tisbury. The Tribal Council voted unanimously to donate the vehicle to the West Tisbury Fire Department to be used as a dive rescue vehicle.
"The Tri-Town Ambulance volunteers provide a wonderful service to the community and our Tribal members," said Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, Tribe chairman, "We are proud to present this gift which truly impacts our quality of life here on Martha's Vineyard."
