West Plains, MO. – The South Howell County Ambulance District has been making announcements recently of multiple locals they have added to their ranks. They have received new EMTs, supervisors, and a human resource officer. The South Howell County Ambulance District provides professional, 911 dispatched, advanced, and basic life support services.
On August 14, 2024, Lauren Shipley was announced as a new EMT added to the team. She is a newly licensed EMT, having just completed the EMT program at SHCAD and graduated in the Spring Class. She will be joining the ambulance crew.
On August 14, 2024, Chelan, also known as Shaye, was added to the team as a paramedic and field supervisor. Shaye lives in Willow Springs with Jeff Burress who also works at South Howell County Ambulance District. She has 6 kids and 9 grandkids. She has been working in the Emergency Medical Services in some capacity since 2006. She got her paramedic license in 2015. She plans on working in this field until she can no longer do it, then she will transition into education to teach the next generation the job.
Another EMT was welcomed into the team on August 14, 2024. Meet Jeff. Jeff Burress grew up in Ava and now lives in Willow Springs. He has been in EMS for 27 years. He started his service career in Mountain Grove as a volunteer firefighter in 1991. Jeff took a break from active service for five years while he had a job as a director of training for an organization that assists adults with intellectual disabilities with job placement and life skills.
On August 19, 2024, they added 18-year-old Elijah Burrow to their team as an EMT. He grew up and lives in Gainesville. He got his EMS in August of 2023 and obtained his EMT license in high school through a program run by the Ozark County Ambulance District. He works as a volunteer firefighter at Lick Creek Fire Department and as an EMT in both Ozark County and South Howell County. He is also taking classes at ASUMH to become a paramedic and later get his nursing license to become a flight nurse.
They also added Angela Gillaspie to the team on August 19, 2024. She lives with her husband south of Viola, Arkansas. She has worked as an EMT for 13 years. She started her path in EMS after a vehicle crash occurred at the end of her road and she helped the fire departments with multiple injured individuals. She joined the Viola Fire Department in 2008. She also decorates custom sugar cookies as a side gig.
On August 19, 2024, they added one last individual to the team. Suzanne Cooley was added as a Human Resources Officer. She graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Science in Human Resources Management. She lives in Mountain View and has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources. She has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
