Northwest, Iowa — EMS is one of the most important services that can be offered in an emergency. EMS individuals work tirelessly to make sure that residents get the help they need, but there are ongoing issues that have been affecting EMS for a few years now.
A lack of volunteers has been negatively impacting EMS services for a while now. Kevin Miller, EMS coordinator at Northwest Iowa Community College, and the Director of Sheldon Community Ambulance Team(SCAT) says that an increase in calls and demand is being seen of EMS, but a decrease is being seen in the number of volunteers.
(as said) “What we are looking for and what we are initiating a call for action for is anyone willing to help and anyone willing to take that extra step to, either get certified or just in ways to help in other capacities, to serve, is what we are looking for.”
Miller continues by explaining how some EMS squads are running comfortably twenty members, but some squads are running at less than ten.
(as said) “We still have to staff a 24-7-365 day a year service, and therefore it is putting a strain on that service, but those volunteers that are serving as well.”
Miller says that SCAT has done a lot to try and get people’s attention to volunteer for EMS, such as door to door attempts, advertisements on radio and newspapers, and sending letters to individuals. Another thing they are trying to look at is to provide additional incentives for people to join.
(as said) “It does vary service to service, but, for example, there are some services that do pay their volunteers a certain amount per call, there are also some services that will offer incentives of attending meetings and training, another incentive is that most services will actually pay for the certification and the training.”
He says there may also be possible future incentives, such as getting discounts at a local store and providing daycare services to volunteers with children. Miller tells us how we can get involved with EMS.
(as said) “Anyone can volunteer, whether they want to become certified, whether they want to drive the ambulances, or whether they just want to be put on a committee that helps with fundraising, help with inventory, help with recruitment. Anything that anyone can give can help and if they would just contact their local EMS director or their local city hall, we would be happy to get them the information to do so.”
Miller says that residents may also get into contact with him at NCC if they wish to have some assistance with volunteering. His number is (712) 324-5061.
