Pictured at the EMS Week Proclamation are (l-r) WMC Ambulance Director Steve Vanden Brink, Supervisor Mark Vick, South Winn First responder Billie Karnik, Supervisors Steve Kelsay and Dan Langreck, Decorah First Responder Roger Hamilton, and Supervisors Mark Faldet and Shirley Vermace.
EMS Strong: Where emergency care begins in Winneshiek County
The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors unanimously proclaimed May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services Week, “EMS Strong: Where Emergency Care Begins.” The Emergency Medical Services system locally consists of first responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses and physicians, trained members of the public and other out-of-hospital medical care providers.
The services they provide can be lifesaving, working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing a vital public service. Emergency personnel, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills.
Winneshiek Medical Center’s Steve Vanden Brink, ambulance director for the past 30 years, noted they have seen a dwindling interest in pursuing the volunteer EMT role in past years. “It can take 50 to 200 hours of class time to become a first responder or a full EMT. There have been challenges even finding an instructor for the class, but also for finding a full class to teach. The $1,200 to $2,500 cost of the class has many scholarships available so that shouldn’t be a barrier to being a part of the EMS system. Where there used to be a class every year, they are more infrequent these days.”
Vanden Brink also noted that there could be up to eight positions opening on the 28-person ambulance crew due to retirements over the next 5-7 years. He is hoping to encourage some young people to heed the call and join the vital service of emergency medical care in Winneshiek County.
A new EMT certification class will be held from the end of May through August. All but 5-6 days of class time are provided in an online learning environment, with up to 30 hours of clinical experience either in an ambulance or in the local emergency room. Vanden Brink noted there were still some openings for this class.
“Ossian and Frankville have volunteer ambulance services, and they’re in the same boat. It’s a challenge for folks who work out of town, or who don’t want to get a phone call at any hour of the day or night. And there’s always continuing education hours once the certification is earned. We’ve seen a lot of volunteer services closing, and the paid services are trying to cover those areas.”
Supervisor Mark Vick added, “Volunteer Fire Departments too. People don’t realize those volunteers don’t punch a time clock. They are sacrificing something they love to do that service for the community.”
To learn more about EMS, classes, job openings or general emergency care, reach out to Steve Vanden Brink with Winneshiek Medical Center.
Those interested in serving their community as an EMT, reach out to NICC Emergency Services Program Developer Jess Coulson at coulsonj@nicc.edu or call 844-642-2338, ext. 2384. For additional information, contact Vanden Brink at 563-387-3049.
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