Wednesday, February 03, 2010 BALDWIN, WISCONSIN EMT's and Medical Emergency Responders come from all walks of life. They are your kid's school teacher, the mechanic who fixes your car, the employees at the bank, even the local accountant or attorney from your home town. The truth is pretty much anyone can become involved in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). While the people who operate as Emergency Medical Responders and EMTs are pretty special, there really is nothing about them that is any different than you. They have just had training to be able to take care of patients during a medical emergency. You too can receive that same training and become licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician or Emergency Medical Responder. If you were able to graduate from high school you probably have what it takes to become a Emergency Medical Responder or an EMT.
Most EMTs in Wisconsin are volunteers, as in many communities, Baldwin Area EMS pays you to be on call and for responding to calls. Assessments are charged to municipalities to help cover this cost. As part time employees you are able to sign up for on-call shifts each month and respond to backup calls whenever they are paged out, this allows you to choose when to serve around family and jobs. You'll be provided uniforms and equipment, initial and continuing education, and chances to advance to higher levels in EMS.
Becoming an EMT or First Responder is something that YOU CAN DO! Many people think that EMS is all about blood, gore, injuries and death. While we do see those things occasionally, the bulk of EMS calls are very routine involving relatively minor injuries or illnesses. Help and support are there for the occasional brutally traumatic call. Many current EMTs and First Responders started out just like you, wondering if they are going to be able to do this. They quickly found out that they can. Plus, the knowledge you will gain can be taken with you wherever you go. While everyone else will be panicked and unsure of what to do, your training as an EMT or First Responder will keep you calm and able to help during nearly any emergency that you encounter.
So, what are you waiting for? There is no better time than now to get started. Classes run each fall, come to the station and apply with us by mid July. It will open up more doors for you than you ever imagined.
