Courtesy of the Olean Times Herald – 1984

Mrs. Theo B. Sheldon of Olean recalls the anxiety she experienced as the tragedy of the early 1950′s unfolded before her. And elderly woman had been struck by a car on North Union Street and lay on the pavement several stories below her husband’s office in the former Exchange National Bank building. It was from a window in this office she witnessed the amount of time that lapsed before transportation arrived to take the woman to the hospital.

“The ambulance never did arrive, and the poor woman ended up going to the hospital in the SPCA wagon. How terrible it was!”

The incident haunted Mrs. Sheldon until she said to her husband, “This may cause a little trouble in town, but I’m going to get an ambulance.”

With her husband’s blessing, Mrs. Sheldon said her next step was to address the Common Council to convince members of the need for a city-operated ambulance service.

According to Mrs. Sheldon, there was an ambulance service available but it was privately owned, and the two operators had other jobs which frequently hampered them from reaching the injured person immediately.

She said the council was “very nice” about her request. “They said they would try it, recognizing the need. They knew it wasn’t something silly or out of this world I was asking for, and of course I had proof of the need with the incident that occured.”

Mrs. Sheldon’s work in prompting the city to obtain ambulance service has earned her the Douglas Baker Award. The annual award is presented by the Permanent Firefighters Association in memory of a long-time member of the fire department for his years of service to the association.

It is bestowed up a citizen in recognition of a heroic deed or life-saving action.

The inscription on the award reads:

“Theo B. Sheldon, recognized for concern and dedication in orchestrating the 1953 inauguration of the city of Olean Fire Department’s ambulance service and unceasing support of our efforts.”

On April 26, 1986, Mrs. Sheldon died at the age of 90. City Firefighters served as pallbearers during her funeral services. Funeral services were conducted at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Olean. “This is something usually reserved for firefighters who die in the line of duty,” said Fire Chief C. James Young, of the firefighters’ honor guard. “You have to make some kind of contribution to get this kind of recognition.”