More EMTs greatly needed; Local 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.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will be offering a face-to-face EMT Class in Waukon beginning January 13. 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.

Seven ambulance services regularly bring patients to the ER at Veterans Memorial Hospital, including Harpers Ferry, Lansing, Monona, New Albin, Postville, Waterville and Waukon.

“We are experiencing a 48% increase in volume over 5 years ago, so the demand for more staff is even greater,” states Jacob Dougherty, Paramedic, VMH EMS Manager. “We really hope people will take advantage of this class locally right here since it is so much more convenient.”

The following are statistics shared by Dougherty from the VMH Ambulance Service:
• Calendar year 2023 ended with a total of 1051 requests for EMS service which was a 21% increase over the year prior.
• The busiest month on record for VMH EMS was 103 requests for service which occurred in May 2023
• In 2023, VMH EMS completed an average of 88 requests for service per month with an average of 19 being transfers to a larger medical facility.
• VMH utilizes 3 ambulances. In 2023, the occurrence of having more than 1 VMH ambulance active on additional calls happens more than 13 times per month.
• On average, 2 times per month VMH has all 3 ambulances active on calls at a given time.
• On average, 30 times a month we need to seek out a second crew to ensure seamless coverage of the ambulance districts.

Spots are still available for the face-to-face NICC 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. This 138-hour course will conclude in May. Registration for the class must be completed prior to the orientation night January 13.

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 be found at: www.nicc.edu/solutions/100915.