The number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in this area has dwindled over the years as licensed EMTs have retired. Allamakee and northern Clayton counties are fortunate to have many emergency response services, but nearly all of them are in need of more EMTs on their service to share the call time, ensuring local emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Brittany Darling, EMT, is the training officer for Lansing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and will soon be the director of that service. She explains why she became an EMT and why there is a need for more in the area.
“I have been an EMT now for nine years,” Brittany shared. “I became interested in the health care field when I was very young, so I became a nurse and an EMT. I don’t remember seeing EMS recruiting for more help like we have been the past couple years, but I was asked by New Albin Fire Department to join their service as my husband was a firefighter with NAFD.