As a "new resident" of Green County, (my wife and I moved here in May 2000) I have been very impressed with the many volunteer organizations this community provides. As I looked around for a way to give back to the community, I decided to get involved with one particular volunteer organization. Six months ago I received a mailer about the Green County Emergency Services (GCEMS), and I thought this might be a way to get involved. On the surface this is a very simple organization that provides life-saving benefits to the community. But as I became more involved and went through the extensive training, I've become more aware of the dedication and commitment of the people who make up GCEMS. This community has the benefit of 24/7 emergency medical coverage. I am proud to be associated with such dedicated people.
To say my involvement has been rewarding would be an understatement. Yes, the drivers and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) are paid on call. This means that when they actually are responding to an emergency, they are being paid. However, they are not paid for the many hours they're on standby. Each is required to be "on call" an average of eight hours a week, but many volunteer for as many as 24 hours a week. They are required to attend training meetings and refresher courses to ensure they're ready and able to serve the community. They attend football games and hockey games, and none of that is "on the clock". So the reward I refer to is not of the monetary nature, that is just a little bonus. The real reward is the sense of accomplishment I have when we just delivered a patient into the hospital. The look of relief I have seen on the face of a "loved one" when we arrive on scene is indescribable. I can't begin to describe the feeling of pride I've had for some of the other people I've worked with, seeing them perform under pressure. These are not people looking for recognition; they do what they do because they're good, giving people.
But like any organization, this one has its problems, the biggest being it is spread too thin. GCEMS needs more people involved. If anyone is looking to give back to the community and wants some emotional rewards, this is the organization to get involved with. I encourage any young person (high school senior or older) who thinks they might want a career in the medical field to check out EMS. The rewards are too great to adequately describe.
I encourage employers in the City of Monroe (within four minutes of the GCEMS facility) to encourage your employees to volunteer and tell them they can be on call one day a month (or even a week). This would mean they would need to wear the EMS uniform to work and might have to drop everything on a moment's notice to respond to an emergency. Not all jobs can be dropped and just picked up again an hour or two later, but if you could allow that to happen once in a while, then you as an employer could give back, too. Together, we can ensure this community always has emergency medical services. The GCEMS needs you!
No matter what the weather or time of day, you can count on the dedicated people who make up GCEMS. I am proud to have become associated with such dedicated people.
To say my involvement has been rewarding would be an understatement. Yes, the drivers and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) are paid on call. This means that when they actually are responding to an emergency, they are being paid. However, they are not paid for the many hours they're on standby. Each is required to be "on call" an average of eight hours a week, but many volunteer for as many as 24 hours a week. They are required to attend training meetings and refresher courses to ensure they're ready and able to serve the community. They attend football games and hockey games, and none of that is "on the clock". So the reward I refer to is not of the monetary nature, that is just a little bonus. The real reward is the sense of accomplishment I have when we just delivered a patient into the hospital. The look of relief I have seen on the face of a "loved one" when we arrive on scene is indescribable. I can't begin to describe the feeling of pride I've had for some of the other people I've worked with, seeing them perform under pressure. These are not people looking for recognition; they do what they do because they're good, giving people.
But like any organization, this one has its problems, the biggest being it is spread too thin. GCEMS needs more people involved. If anyone is looking to give back to the community and wants some emotional rewards, this is the organization to get involved with. I encourage any young person (high school senior or older) who thinks they might want a career in the medical field to check out EMS. The rewards are too great to adequately describe.
I encourage employers in the City of Monroe (within four minutes of the GCEMS facility) to encourage your employees to volunteer and tell them they can be on call one day a month (or even a week). This would mean they would need to wear the EMS uniform to work and might have to drop everything on a moment's notice to respond to an emergency. Not all jobs can be dropped and just picked up again an hour or two later, but if you could allow that to happen once in a while, then you as an employer could give back, too. Together, we can ensure this community always has emergency medical services. The GCEMS needs you!
No matter what the weather or time of day, you can count on the dedicated people who make up GCEMS. I am proud to have become associated with such dedicated people.
