The Osage Beach Ambulance Service, part of the Osage Beach Police Department, plays a vital role in local emergency response. Taxpayer dollars help save the lives of not only people, but sometimes pets, too.
Although the Ambulance Service belongs to the City of Osage Beach, it works closely with the independent Osage Beach Fire Protection District. The two groups train together and even share employees. Familiarity leads to strong teamwork that benefits everyone—especially during a high-pressure emergency.
"Collaboration is crucial to our success,” said Ambulance Supervisor Tommi Rudat. “The better we work together, the better the outcome for the patient.” Rudat, a 30-year emergency services veteran, has commuted from the St. Louis area to serve Osage Beach for the past seven years. She praised her team of 15 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics for their skill and dedication. "Every day, I watch my team perform miracles,” said Rudat. “They anticipate each other's moves and support one another without hesitation.”
In 2024, firefighters with the Osage Beach Fire Protection District, along with officers, dispatchers, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel with the Osage Beach Police Department were recognized by the Osage Beach Board of Aldermen for their extraordinary teamwork in saving the life of a man who had stopped breathing. Their combined efforts, incl
uding defibrillation and CPR, led to his full recovery – a rare outcome for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims.
The Ambulance Service responds to more than 1,400 calls annually. While most off-season calls are medical-related, summer brings a surge in trauma cases as tourists flood Lake of the Ozarks. A second ambulance is deployed to handle the seasonal spike.
To stay current with evolving medical technology, the Ambulance Service secured a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant from the Department of Health and Human Services in 2024. These funds have enabled critical upgrades, including an ultrasound machine, laryngoscopes for airway examinations, a patient simulator for training, enhanced equipment bags, and instructor education classes. A trio of EMS instructors ensure staff members are proficient in CPR, new equipment, and medical advancements, while ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) instructors reinforce cardiac and pediatric care.
Beyond emergency response, the Ambulance Service actively engages with the community. It maintains strong partnerships with local facilities like Lake Regional and provides standby support at special events and educational visits to local schools.* Their life-saving efforts even extend to pets. Specialized oxygen masks for dogs and cats have been used several times to resuscitate pets in emergencies, such as house fires. One memorable rescue occurred two years ago when two cats, caught in a house fire, needed oxygen to survive. Thanks to the quick actions of paramedics and the specialized masks, both cats recovered.
With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community service, the Osage Beach Ambulance Service continues to be a lifeline for residents and visitors alike.
Some Osage Beach Ambulance Service team members, L-R: Floyd Handy, Dan Penrod, Kevin Box, Tommi Rudat, Aaron Weaver, Danielle Clark, Allie Johnson
*An ambulance can be requested for standby at an event or to appear at an educational function. For more information, please contact Ambulance Supervisor Tommi Rudat at (573) 300 – 2010 x1300.