Few folks lying on a gurney as it rolls into an ambulance are thinking about the years of training and experience behind the hands on that gurney.
Fortunately for patients in Boulder, there are others who have already focused on that.
The six EMT volunteers who respond to local ambulance calls have more than 90 years of combined service.
David Kosola, licensed as an emergency medical technician for 22 years, is the most senior member of the crew, but the five others – Michele St. George, Molly Carey, Steven Carey, Katy James and Kevin St. George – each have at least ten years of experience. Michele St. George, Molly Carey, Steven Carey and Katy James are Advanced EMTs, which means they can perform some more advanced life support skills.
Boulder Ambulance Service is overseen by Medical Director Pat Alduenda, a physician assistant with a long history of caring for patients. He started his medical career as a fire fighter and then went on to become a first responder, an EMT and a licensed physician assistant. He also serves in the U.S. military.
Every time the ambulance loads up and heads out, at least one person with a minimum basic EMT license must be on board in addition to the driver.
“We have firefighters and law enforcement officers who will step in and drive when available,” said Molly Carey.
That extra help from firefighters and law enforcement has made it easier for the Boulder Ambulance Service to meet the needs, but more volunteers can always be used. For six EMTs to cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year can be demanding.
Not that the EMTs are complaining.
“When asked why they volunteer,” said St. George, “the overwhelming response was that they do this because it is a rewarding and valuable way to give back to their community. They leave work and family functions so they can respond to community members and even strangers to aid them in their time of need. These volunteers willingly take vacation time, work late hours, miss holidays, and leave family birthday parties to serve others.”
Except for James, who is retired but helps cover shifts as a dispatcher for Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, all of the EMT have other full time jobs. Michele St. George is the county’s juvenile probation officer, Molly Carey is the county health department clinic coordinator, Steven Carey is a rancher, Kosola is a sheriff’s deputy, and Kevin St. George works for the Montana Department of Transportation as well as acting as a reserve officer for the sheriff’s department.
The actual time aboard the ambulance is far from the total demands of the volunteer service.
The basic EMT license requires roughly 120 hours of classroom instruction. Instructors, also volunteers, are Flight Paramedics/RNs, Public Health Nurses, Advanced EMTs, Paramedics, Deputies and Firefighters. At course completion, students must exhibit skills through practical testing overseen by Medical Director Alduenda and must pass a written exam administered by the State of Montana or the National Registry of EMTs.
Advanced EMT licensure requires about 90 hours of additional training beyond basic.
None of that daunting list stopped five local volunteers from taking a just-completed EMT class. Four Boulder volunteer firefighters and one Elkhorn Search and Rescue volunteer finished the class and are now waiting on the State to finish their licensure.
Those five new EMTs will join a well-experienced crew, ready to be those helping hands when it is time to lift a gurney into the ambulance and make that essential trip for help.
