(Le Mars) — This is National Emergency Medical Technician Week, a time when we honor those people that respond to our emergencies, and provide aid and transport to a hospital. and Floyd Valley Healthcare acknowledged the volunteers that serve as EMT’s, and other First Responders for Plymouth County by providing a free meal showing their appreciation for their commitment. Several members of the ambulance staffs from the Plymouth County communities attended the event held Monday evening. Floyd Valley Healthcare’s Administrator Mike Donlin welcomed the group, with several other Floyd Valley staff on hand for the appreciation meal. Following the meal, the group participated in a version of “Family Feud” answering questions that related to emergency services.
Kevin Rollins of Remsen has been volunteering as an E-M-T for more than 37 years.
Rollins says it is a large time commitment and expense to become certified as an E-M-T.
Rollins says to become a paramedic, it requires even more expense and education training.
The Remsen Ambulance volunteer says a problem, not only with Remsen, but with many communities is to find enough volunteers to serve as an E-M-T.
The Remsen Ambulance Service will be hosting a Chamber Coffee Wednesday morning at the Remsen Ambulance Building, and then Thursday evening they will hold a fund raising event.
Bill Rosacker serves as the director for the Le Mars Ambulance Services. He says the Le Mars Ambulance Service in recent years have responded to nearly 1000 calls a year.
Rosacker says he is concerned about the fact that smaller communities are unable to have enough volunteers for an EMT staff. He says that means Le Mars has to
cover their territory, which also means a longer response time.
