More EMTS needed! Enthusiastic volunteers needed to fill EMT Class starting in January

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.

“I signed up and took the class, and like many services, New Albin even sponsored me. Emergency medicine has always been interesting to me, I like to work in fast-paced environments and see new things every day. I volunteered in New Albin for a couple years before we moved to Lansing. I transferred over to Lansing Ambulance, then became the training officer/scheduler and in January I will be stepping into a new role, the service director.”

Brittany adds her thoughts on the rewards of being an EMT. “I like helping and being part of something big in our community. I really like going on calls and being the impact the patient needs at that time. People don’t dial 911 when they are having a good day, you see people at their worst when they need help the most. Growing our service with more EMTs is so important, so we can continue to support our community when they need it most.”

NICC will be offering a face-to-face EMT Class in Waukon beginning in January. This class is not offered locally each year, so the fact it will be held in Waukon is a convenience for those wishing to take the course with little travel time. This 138-hour course will conclude in May. Registration for the class must be completed prior to the orientation night January 8.

The EMT class prepares the students to provide pre-hospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.

Enthusiastic, willing volunteers wanting to truly help people are needed to fill this class. The class will meet two nights per week, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6-10 p.m., and clinicals will be held in person.  Students who successfully complete this class and the certification examination will be able to volunteer on their own community’s ambulance service or rescue squad, as well as be prepared for careers in emergency services.

For more information, contact Jacob Dougherty, Paramedic, EMS Manager, or Cheryl Livingston, Paramedic, Class Instructor, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. Registration information can also be found online at: https://nicc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&in....