SFMR Donates $25K to Boost Downieville Ambulance Coverage

DOWNIEVILLE — Sierra Frontier Medical Resources, Inc. (SFMR) has announced a $25,000 contribution to the Downieville Fire Protection District to help expand paramedic staffing for the Downieville Ambulance, moving the community closer to its goal of 24/7 Advanced Life Support coverage.

Currently, the ambulance operates with paramedic coverage five days per week, funded by a two-tiered program: a $60 annual property tax on improved parcels, approved by voters in Downieville and Sierra City in 2021 and renewed in 2025. This parcel tax requires reapproval every four years in both communities. The second tier is a 2.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which ensures that visitors share in supporting local emergency services.

This new contribution from SFMR will help cover the two remaining days per week by funding relief paramedic shifts, as the District continues seeking a part-time paramedic for those two days.

“Medical emergencies don’t wait until the right moment,” said SFMR Board Member Miriam Dines. “In our remote but well-visited region, the ability to respond 24/7 can mean the difference between life and death. An additional investment in around-the-clock medical response isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

Board President Frank J. Lang, NP, JD, echoed that urgency. “My view of medical emergencies in western Sierra County is that of an old country doctor,” he explained. “If there is a medical need, you should be able to reach a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there should be an immediate professional response.”

For some, the issue is deeply personal. Board Member Ingrid Larson, Attorney at Law, reflected on her own recent experience: “As I cared for my dear husband, Dan, during his last days, I experienced firsthand the expertise of our paramedic and the dedication and quick response of our local EMS volunteers. With no hospice in western Sierra County, their assistance was over the top. I would have been at a total loss without them. More than ever, I firmly believe that we MUST have ALS and EMS systems in place.”

Long-time Sierra City resident and Board Member Mary Nourse added perspective from her decades in the community: “When Rich and I moved to Sierra City in 1971, we were the youngest couple in town, and now recently widowed, I am among the oldest residents. Trust me when I say medical emergencies can and do happen. I am grateful for SFMR’s commitment in providing skilled paramedics who work alongside our dedicated volunteers.”

The contributions are also supported by the business community. “As a local lodging operator in Western Sierra County, our family businesses proudly contribute more than $11,000 each year directly to ambulance paramedic coverage through the TOT program created by SFMR,” said Board Member Sonya Z. Meline, CHC. “I’m grateful to see how these dollars – paid by visitors – directly strengthen healthcare access for both locals and guests. I encourage others to support SFMR as donors or volunteers, so together we can keep this lifeline strong for our community.”

For those working on the frontlines, the impact is clear. “Your commitment to supporting frontline paramedics and emergency responders will make a significant difference in ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to saving others have the resources, training, and support they need,” said Cory Schiemann, Paramedic of the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department. “This contribution directly strengthens our ability to provide vital relief, equipment, and wellness initiatives for paramedics working in the most demanding environments.”

SFMR Board Member Susan Hopkins summed up the shared sentiment: “As an elder living alone in this rural community, I serve on the Board of Sierra Frontier Medical Resources in deep appreciation of the paramedic services that SFMR supports with funding resources. Without that funding we would not have the essential 24/7 services that save lives.”

About SFMR

As a 501(c)(3), SFMR’s mission is “to acquire and support the development of financial and other resources to assure the availability of medical and health services, including primary, urgent, and emergency care, to the residents of and visitors to western Sierra County, California.”

The SFMR Board of Directors remains actively engaged in advancing this mission. Community members interested in serving on the Board are encouraged to contact Frank Lang at (530) 289-3644 or Ingrid Larson at (530) 289-3654.

Donations to support these efforts are always welcome and may be sent to: Sierra Frontier Medical Resources, P.O. Box 393, Downieville, CA 95936.