EMS always needs volunteers
Green County EMS, Inc., a private, non-profit organization that depends on local volunteers who wish to become EMTs.
The group is always looking for volunteers and hopes to have 10 students in their fall training class next year.
Call (608) 329-4367 or visit www.greencountyems.org for more information.
MONROE - The Green County EMS team broke ground for its new facility Sept. 28, but progress on the new building will soon be put on hold for the winter.
EMS Chief Dan Nufer said work has already begun on the 12,000-square-foot station along 12th Street. The building will accommodate sleeping quarters for three crews, increase the number of garage stalls for ambulances to five total, add another classroom and provide more storage space.
"We have run out of room," Nufer said of the current EMS building next to the police department. "We've just simply outgrown our current building."
Work has been progressing over the past month, but now frost is a key concern. Nufer said the next step in the process is to pour the concrete slab for foundation, but that could crack due to ground frost if left without any structural cover during the winter. Because of this problem, construction will soon halt and the slab will be poured in the spring once all frost is gone.
Nufer was happy to see Green County EMS successfully surpass its goal of $1.5 million in fundraising for the building. Donations were made on a one-time basis and through the process of pledges paid over time. Funds were given by private citizens and businesses alike.
"The community is usually pretty generous, which is great because we depend on those donations," Nufer said.
Green County EMS does not receive money from taxes; it charges for emergency services and fundraises each year to help meet operational expenses.
This is not the first change Green County EMS has seen in order to meet the need for more space. In 2001, a second story was built onto the current building to create more space. During that time, Nufer said, the EMTs were handling roughly 900 calls per year. Now emergency workers average more than 1,500 annually.
The addition of storage and more space to accommodate workers has been a joyful prospect for all the EMTs.
"Everybody here is so excited," Nufer said. "They can't contain themselves."
The current building will be left behind once EMS transitions to the new building next year. Nufer said the future of the space is still an unknown. The property is owned by the city.
EMS Chief Dan Nufer said work has already begun on the 12,000-square-foot station along 12th Street. The building will accommodate sleeping quarters for three crews, increase the number of garage stalls for ambulances to five total, add another classroom and provide more storage space.
"We have run out of room," Nufer said of the current EMS building next to the police department. "We've just simply outgrown our current building."
Work has been progressing over the past month, but now frost is a key concern. Nufer said the next step in the process is to pour the concrete slab for foundation, but that could crack due to ground frost if left without any structural cover during the winter. Because of this problem, construction will soon halt and the slab will be poured in the spring once all frost is gone.
Nufer was happy to see Green County EMS successfully surpass its goal of $1.5 million in fundraising for the building. Donations were made on a one-time basis and through the process of pledges paid over time. Funds were given by private citizens and businesses alike.
"The community is usually pretty generous, which is great because we depend on those donations," Nufer said.
Green County EMS does not receive money from taxes; it charges for emergency services and fundraises each year to help meet operational expenses.
This is not the first change Green County EMS has seen in order to meet the need for more space. In 2001, a second story was built onto the current building to create more space. During that time, Nufer said, the EMTs were handling roughly 900 calls per year. Now emergency workers average more than 1,500 annually.
The addition of storage and more space to accommodate workers has been a joyful prospect for all the EMTs.
"Everybody here is so excited," Nufer said. "They can't contain themselves."
The current building will be left behind once EMS transitions to the new building next year. Nufer said the future of the space is still an unknown. The property is owned by the city.