MARION — After more than 40 years of activity, the Marion EMT Association has ceased operations.

Founded in 1980, the charity financially supported pre-hospital care in Marion. As of 2024, it has donated the last of its funds, according to a letter released by the organization.

Dwindling membership and the passing last year of the charity’s treasurer Joan Wing precipitated the association’s closure, according to Cornelia Dougall, a member of the organization since its inception and Wing’s sister.

“It has been an invaluable group,” Dougall said.

The Marion EMT Association distributed more than $440,000 through its existence, according to the letter.

That money funded things like cardiac monitors, IV fluids, stethoscopes, stretchers and additional equipment for emergency medical services in Marion, according to Dougall. A utility vehicle used by the fire department for remote rescues was purchased with the organization’s funds.

Dougall said that Wing thought one year to purchase automatic defibrillators used for treating cardiac arrest, which were then put into police cruisers. Three lives were eventually saved as a result, Dougall said.

The Marion EMT Association did not have to appropriate money through the town for its purchases, according to Dougall. When equipment was needed and the organization had the funds, the equipment was purchased without becoming a budgeted item for the town.

At Marion’s town meeting earlier this year, for example, voters approved appropriating $95,000 towards cardiac monitors and an AED replacement for the fire department. 

“We saved the town a lot of money over the years,” Dougall said.