One of the most recognized businesses in our community is Pistoresi Ambulance. Providing emergency and non-emergency services to Madera since 1942, we can all take great comfort in knowing that we will be taken care of when in need of their care.

In 1942, a Chowchilla mortuary company ran the local ambulance service. The mortuary owner decided to leave the area and asked Pete Pistoresi, the proprietor of a local automobile/towing business to operate his ambulance "for a few weeks." The weeks stretched into months, years and decades and in 1981, Monte Pistoresi became the sole owner of the ambulance service. At that time, the service received approximately 4,500 emergency calls per year and the company provided one 24 hour ambulance with two additional vehicles covering days and call backs in the area. In 1998, they received over 6,000 calls. To date, Pistoresi Ambulance service has 12 paramedics and a total of 27 employees. Three 24 hour ambulances staff the Madera area which extends into the Madera Ranchos and part of the foothills while one unit covers Chowchilla.

Pistoresi Ambulance recently moved into their new headquarters at 113 North "R" Street.

During all of these years of operation, it is evident that owner Monte Pistoresi and his son Ted, who is the Operations Manager as well as a paramedic, have taken good care of our community. Our community has been enriched by their generous participation and support of many organizations and events including Trees for Charity and the Annual Shrimp Feed, Alegria Guild's Black Tie Bash, Madera Community Hospital's Annual Foundation Dinner Dance, St. Joachim's Annual Dinner Dance, Madera Academic Decathlon; Madera Special Olympics, Madera Friends of Valley Children's Hospital, Little League, Babe Ruth, Pop Warner Football, Bobby Sox Softball, Madera Soccer and Basketball Teams. Pistoresi is a continued supporter and sponsor of the Madera Chamber of Commerce's Business Extravaganza, Annual Golf Tournament, Setting the Pace Dinner, New Educator Breakfast and much, much more...

Ted is a past President of the Madera Sunrise Rotary. He is also a member of the Elks, St. Joachim's YMI and a past member of the Juvenile Justice Commission. Ted is also a graduate of the Madera Chamber of Commerce's charter class of Leadership Madera: Civics One On One.

Monte is a member and Past Chair of the Madera Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Corps. He has also served on the Chamber's Setting the Pace Dinner Committee for the last 3 years. A recipient of the prestigious Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Monte in 1998. The Madera Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year in 1996. Monte also received the 1995 Papal Blessing. Many other awards and recognitions have been bestowed upon the outstanding businessman who is also involved as a Board of Trustee of Madera Community Hospital, past Board Member with the Madera Linkage Foundation, Past President of the Madera Community Hospital Foundation, Board Member of the Madera County Community Action Agency, Chair of the 1998 major fund-raising effort for Valley Children's Hospital, Chair of the Madera County Emergency Medical Care Committee and holds membership with the Madera Chamber of Commerce, Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Golden Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Both Father and Son are modest about their list of accomplishments. It is overwhelming and quite impressive when you consider the work that is required of them and their staff to save lives. We salute and thank Monte, Ted and their families and all of the staff of Pistoresi Ambulance for their many kind acts and providing quality service to Madera.