The number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) in this area has dwindled over the years as licensed EMT’s 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 EMT’s on their service to share the call time, ensuring local emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Jamie Melcher (pictured above) of Harpers Ferry is an EMT and states, “I became an EMT to assist our great crew in helping our community when they need it most. I continue to be an EMT because it feels good seeing the relief and reassurance on people’s faces when we arrive.”
Elliott Evanson (pictured above) is a EMT with the Waterville service and he adds, “I chose to get into EMS because I have two little and I have seen some scary episodes with them that made me want to be more informed for them. Also living in a more rural community, I wanted to be able to help out where I can. Our Waterville ambulance group community all get along well. The experiences of being able to help out others when in their time of need is why I stay in it.”
Seven area ambulance services regularly bring patients to the ER at Veterans Memorial Hospital including Harpers Ferry, Lansing, Monona, New Albin, Postville, Waterville and Waukon. More EMT’s are greatly needed in all area communities.
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, which will conclude in May. Registration for the class must be completed prior to the orientation night on January 8th.
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, Monday’s and Wednesday’s, from 6-10 pm 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, please 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:
