CRYSTAL LAKE – Plenty has changed in the business of transporting the sick and injured since Pat Crawford started his company 35 years ago.

“The technology and the equipment is light years ahead of what it was,” Crawford said. “The things that don’t change in medicine is people taking care of people. We’re older but still, being a medic, your job is to take care of people when they need help.”

When Crawford started Elgin Medi-Transport Inc. in June 1977, it was a two-man operation. Today, the private ambulance service employs 42 and has offices in both Elgin and Crystal Lake. The business serves hospitals, senior care centers and medical facilities both on a scheduled and emergency basis.