In 1968, there were no ambulance services as we know them today. Those who needed to get to the hospital quickly were transported in the back of a hearse provided by a local funeral home.

Tri-County Ambulance District was the vision of Morris Bailey, Phillip Cox, and Eldon Hixson - the funeral home directors in Gower, Lathrop, and Plattsburg. In the late 1960s, the State of Missouri began to put into place laws and regulations that would lay the foundation for the formation of ambulance services. These three men began organizing a single entity responsible for providing emergency medical care to their communities and the surrounding area.

On January 1, 1974, their vision became a reality when Tri-County Ambulance District began operations, covering 625 square miles in Clinton, Platte, and Buchanan counties. The first ambulance headquarters was in Plattsburg's city hall. The district was staffed by one paramedic supervisor and six paramedics and EMTs. In 2018 Tri-County moved to a newly renovated headquarters located at 1703 W Highway 116 Plattsburg, MO 64477 and employs over 30 EMT's and Paramedics.

Tri-County is a political subdivision, supported partially by tax revenue from those who own property within the district's boundaries. The remainder of our operating budget is funded by revenue received from billing for services rendered. 

The district is governed by a six-person board of directors, who are elected by the voters in their sub-district to serve two-year terms. The day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director whose office is inside the ambulance headquarters. We also employ a part-time secretary to assist with billing, collections, and other financial operations.

Tri-County Ambulance provides Advanced Life Support emergency medical care 24 hours a day, every day of the year. From 8 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., two ambulances are on call, staffed by two-person crews usually consisting of a paramedic and an EMT. From 10:00 p.m. until 8 a.m. one ambulance, staffed by two paramedics, is ready to respond.

Emergency medical services have significantly evolved since 1974.  Patient care protocols and the equipment utilized in the patient compartment of our ambulances are continually improved and updated as more knowledge becomes available. The one constant in the ever-changing field of emergency medical services is Tri-County Ambulance District's commitment to providing the ultimate in patient care to each person who utilizes our services - To Serve and To Save.