The story of South Fulton Ambulance Service is typical of the many small family run services that formed during the 60's and early 70's before states had enacted regulations. South Fulton Ambulance Service began in 1970 in East Point, an incorporated city located just South of downtown Atlanta. The service first operated out of a small house located at 1436 St. Francis St. in East Point with a green low-roof Buick and a black low-roof Cadiliac ambulance. It was founded by Raymond Thompson, Sr and his son Bobby Thompson and first staffed its ambulances with first aid trained attendants.

1973 Unit #114

In 1971, the service relocated to a former physicians office at 1616 Thompson Ave. in downtown East Point and purchased a 1968 low-roof Chevrolet Suburban low-roof ambulance (unit 113) to replace the Buick ambulance. In early 1972, the service relocated to the former Mitchell Funeral Home at 3362 Stewart Ave. in Hapeville which immediately adjoined East Point to the East. The service was designated as the primary ambulance provider for the City of Hapeville. That same year, the service purchased a used 1969 Chevrolet/ National Corporation 54" raised roof ambulance from AAA Ambulance Service in Augusta which became Unit 113 and the 1968 Chevrolet was designated as Unit 114. By 1974, all attendants were required to be Georgia certified Basic EMT's and additional equipment was added to meet new Georgia Ambulance equipment requirements. Several years later, the service purchased a used 1973 Chevrolet/ Amliner 54" raised roof ambulance to replace the 1968 model Chevrolet. In 1976, South Fulton Ambulance became one of the first Southside private providers to equip an ambulance with a 100 watt Motorola MICOR VHF H.E.A.R. radio allowing direct radio communications with nearby South Fulton Hospital in East Point.

1977 patch

South Fulton Ambulance provided coverage for the huge Southeastern Fair which was held at Lakewood Fairgrounds each year. They operated out of an old fire station that was originally built around the turn of the century.  In March-1977, South Fulton Ambulance Service was purchased by Nick Marlin, Chip Young and Mike Phillips at which time the ambulances were then upgraded to provide advanced life support. A month later, the service was renamed Southeastern Ambulance Service and moved to downtown East Point. The legendary South Fulton Ambulance personnel of that era were Raymond Thompson, Sr., Bobby Thompson, Nick Marlin, Frank Lewis, Mike Davis, Howard Hyland and Richard Butler.