LRAA was originally created to oversee a contracted service. At the time, Medic-Vac was the area ambulance service expected to win the city contract.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), September 25, 1980: 4. Medical panel to present ambulance service plan. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15BEBD36B2EBF05D%402444508-15BE6922A4D9886C%403-15BE6922A4D9886C%40.

LRAA voted to name David Jones, the president of KARK-TV as chairman.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), March 9, 1982: 42. Authority names TV executive as chairman. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15BEF5C6A4B8E1E0%402445038-15BEBAEDC937A9F8%4041-15BEBAEDC937A9F8%40.

This plan would have included LRAA buying 12 ambulances and contracting a "private operator" to run the service, the board providing oversight.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), June 3, 1983: 11. Ambulance plan ready for board. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15BEC3C841E4B96E%402445489-15BEBDD8616535BE%4010-15BEBDD8616535BE%40.

Karen Muldrow, the administrative assistant to the City Manager, was hired by the LRAA Board to be the first Director of MEMS (Then LRAA).

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas), November 1, 1983: 7. Assistant to City Manager Named Executive Director or Ambulance Authority. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40EANX-15B5D9DEA0A6C123%402445640-15B5D7D215FD79B5%406-15B5D7D215FD79B5%40.

LRAA issued the invitation for bids. The bid would contract service under a public utility model. Bids were due February 27, 1984.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas), December 14, 1983: 51. Invitation to Bid. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40EANX-15B5D851804BBF8E%402445683-15B5C210AEF6631D%4050-15B5C210AEF6631D%40.

The incident started the domino effect after medics and a dispatcher were fired for calling in Baptist MedFlight for a scene call.

22 Employees resign from Medic-Vac, citing physical violence.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), May 26, 1984: 1. Resignations put Medic-Vac in quandary. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15C09F26E9F59EE2%402445847-15C09C876E69B74A%400.

Earl Triplet, Medic-Vacs manager resigns in support of the fired three.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas), May 24, 1984: 12. Offical Leaves Medic-Vac. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40EANX-15B5D71906BFBE6F%402445845-15B58774A2CCDFFD%4011-15B58774A2CCDFFD%40.

LRAA votes to operate the system temporarily under the name "Metropolitan Emergecy Medical Services."

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), June 2, 1984: 23. Board takes steps to begin ambulance service. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15BF170BD665E96D%402445854-15BF12FA25DAF117%4022-15BF12FA25DAF117%40.

LRAA votes to operate the system temporaraly under the name "Metropolitan Emergecy Medical Services."

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), June 2, 1984: 23. Board takes steps to begin ambulance service. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15BF170BD665E96D%402445854-15BF12FA25DAF117%4022-15BF12FA25DAF117%40.

Although a contract was awarded to Metro Ambulance Service Inc of Georgia.

The StickMan and MEMS brand is created.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), October 19, 1984: 30. Business Briefs. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15C2EE9F2664E076%402445993-15C1B01CEE4B8E7C%4029-15C1B01CEE4B8E7C%40.

The City Board considered the Little Rock Ambulance Authority’s long-term financing plan for the ambulance system, but no action was taken. Ongoing questions about funding and system structure signaled growing uncertainty surrounding the recently awarded contract to Metro Ambulance Services, Inc.

City Documents: https://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/PDF10/1e5e4758-538e-45bb-bf9b-1cdd73fdbb22/44612

Lanham Construction was awarded the contract for the 7,800-square-foot building.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), September 26, 1984: 14. Contract awarded for structure to house ambulance system. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15C79858C41F75C4%402445970-15C69BED1C74CAFD%4013-15C69BED1C74CAFD%40.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas), January 17, 1985: 24. Panel Backs Awarding Ambulance Franchise For City to MEMS. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40EANX-15C1F892D81F24EF%402446083-15C1B00D91784E98%4023-15C1B00D91784E98%40.

As Chair David Jones, representing the Little Rock Ambulance Authority, requested the City use two new fire trucks as collateral to secure financing for a new ambulance fleet, the Board approved the measure despite dissent from three directors. The decision marked a transition from oversight to direct service delivery, establishing the Authority as an operational EMS provider.

Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History. MCR-03505. University of Arkansas.
https://pryorcenter.uark.edu/videoplayer.php?c=2&dir=projects/KATV/MCR-03505&video=MCR-03505_x264&title=MCR-03505.
Timestamp 00:46:40.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), March 16, 1985: 15. Metro Briefs. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15C15774AEE97F15%402446141-15C14FF3D1A84C5C%4014-15C14FF3D1A84C5C%40.

LRAA buys 9 new ambulances
Manufacturer: First Response Inc. of Ellenwood GA.

1. Arkansas Democrat, July 6, pp. 34.

American Ambulance announces closure effective October 1. Mayor Hartwick asks for MEMS' assistance.

Langham Construction began construction on the headquarters on 8th Street but was initially delayed due to added costs.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), September 24, 1985: 16. Ambulance Authority to enter VA contract. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15C164F638AFE169%402446333-15C14C84BB56D51A%4015-15C14C84BB56D51A%40.

NLR City Council gives the okay to go into contract with MEMS.

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas), October 15, 1985: 13. NLR council votes to fund CAT, OKs ambulance service contract. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A15AF7916AD8C31D6%40EANX-15C1A472175ED83C%402446354-15C1A39FF971770D%4012-15C1A39FF971770D%40.

She cited that she was moving to Tulsa to get married.

MEMS Purchases new ambulances.
Manufacturer: Excellance Inc. of Madison AL.

http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=35322&searchid=064b9b2a-ea96-435e-899c-eb8085339bf0&dbid=0&repo=CityofLittleRock

Arkansas Department of Health. (2011, March 29). Trauma System Update for the House and Senate Committees on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor [Review of Trauma System Update for the House and Senate Committees on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor]. Arkansas Legislature. https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAssembly%2FMeeting+Attachments%2F830%2FI9847%2FTraumaSysRpt-1Qrtr-2011.pdf

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South Arkansas Community College. (2010, November 16). South Arkansas Community College Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting. South Arkansas College. https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fcore-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fdocuments%2Fasset%2Fuploaded_file%2F4857%2FSAC%2F4474542%2Fdocument_11-16-2010_Board_Minutes___doc__66_KB__.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, TRACIE DUNGAN. 2011. "Call center to bridge region to medical aid," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Northwest Edition (AR), January 17, pp. 7.

Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services. (2020, November 23). Special Conference Call. Laserfiche; City of Little Rock. http://web.littlerock.state.ar.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=179630&searchid=1cc1962c-4a5d-4a5e-af19-4b31375f6342&dbid=0&repo=CityofLittleRock

MEMS became the second service in Arkansas to be certified as Pediatric Ready.

Manufacturer: Braun

MEMS Medics respond to Stroke and obtain record 2-minute door-to-needle time with the Baptist ED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6WbGcXEVOY

6th EMS agency in the State to be licensed for Basic EMT
1st EMS agency in the State to be licensed for Advanced EMT

Formerly, the academy EMT classes were operated in partnership with South Arkansas College.

In April 2024, Metropolitan EMS began the RFQ process to replace our ALS fleet. By October, the process was complete, and the Little Rock Ambulance Authority approved the purchase of new Braun Type-1 ambulances from Pinnacle Emergency Vehicles in Northwest Arkansas.

https://www.metroems.org/component/content/article/twelve-arkansas-organizations-recognized-with-2025-governors-quality-awards?catid=23&Itemid=101

Late Friday afternoon, LRAA began operating four borrowed ambulances to provide advanced life support. Central Ambulance Service in North Little Rock and the Maumelle Public Safety Department agreed to provide help.

Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas), May 26, 1984: 1. 22 at Medic-Vac Resign; LR Rushes Ambulance Aid. https://infoweb-newsbank-com.cals.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1123C1CC6D31C748%40EANX-15B5D71A8B45E894%402445847-15B5D4A41F3637B0%400-15B5D4A41F3637B0%40.

May 25, 1984

Sept 20 1985

November 1987

October 1994

September 1995

May 3, 2005

Oct 10 2006