This week is the 49th Annual National EMS Week. The week was first designated by President Gerald Ford in 1974 with the intention to celebrate all that EMS practitioners do in the community. In Big Sandy, our Emergency Medical Services are provided solely by volunteers. Currently the following names are on the volunteer roster: Dusty Allderdice, Paula Amsbaugh, Tim Bahnmiller, Maggie Cline, Chris Horton, NP, Pete Jerrel, Krystyl Kulbeck, PA, Nathan Merrill, Jessica Ophus, Heather Plenninger, Jim Robertson, and Melanie Schwarzbach. Your passion for helping others does not go unnoticed, thank you for what you do!
These folks have a deep understanding of the theme for the week: Where Emergency Care Begins. Being an EMT means you’re the one that responds to the 911 call. These folks leave their jobs, their families, and sometimes their warm beds to come to the rescue of those in need. They take the appropriate steps to keep these patients safe and alive until they arrive at the Big Sandy Medical Center. In the year 2022, they brought 26 patients to BSMC and assisted in 31 transfers to higher levels of care.
To be an EMT, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have completed an approved training course, and passed the NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician) exam. The course can be completed in a few months but prepares you for a myriad of emergency situations.
Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. It is up to these folks to find their way to you and get you into the ambulance. As these volunteers give so much to the community, the least we can do is make their jobs a little easier. If you ever need to call 911 for an emergency, the time between the call and when help arrives can feel like an eternity. If you are not actively performing life saving measures (CPR, stopping bleeding etc.), take the time to consider a few things about your home. Is the address on your home well marked? Can the crew find your place easily or do you need to send someone to the road to flag them down, or at the very least know the name of the road to turn onto from the highway? Is the door easily accessible? Do vehicles/equipment need to be moved so the Ambulance has a place to park? Is the walkway free of clutter/snow/ice so a stretcher can be wheeled to your loved one? Is the door unlocked so they can get inside? Are the pets secure so they won't accidentally escape amidst the chaos, or be distracting to the team trying to work? Do you have an up-to-date medication and allergy list and POLST form for the patient?
Making sure these things are taken care of helps EMTs get to your loved one sooner and begin any life saving measures that are necessary. It is a helpless and frustrating feeling to know someone needs help on the other side of the locked door. Sometimes, we don’t think clearly in an emergency, so consider running through these questions now and making an emergency plan for your family and your home.
Be sure to thank our local volunteers this week! Big Sandy is lucky to have such great first responders.
From BSMC to each of our EMT’s and first responders: Thank you for all that you do. We appreciate you!
