P.C. EMS to hold free will BBQ

National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week kicks off on Sunday, May 17, and to celebrate the week in the area, the Phillips County Ambulance Association will be holding a community barbeque this Saturday, May 16 at the Malta Fire Hall.

“We will have hamburgers, hotdogs, coleslaw, baked beans, coffee and lemonade,” said Lori Abrahamson, Phillips County Ambulance Service’s Coordinator. Abrahamson explained that the free will offering BBQ has been hosted by the PCAA for at least the last 13 years but last year the event was not held. Abrahamson said that besides herself, the rest of the Phillips County EMS is made up of volunteers and the annual BBQ is one of the major ways the group raises funds to help pay for the services.

“Everything we make goes back into the EMS which typically goes back into the schools for our presentations,” said Abrahamson. “In year’s past we have done bicycle safety and been able to buy the kids helmets …but then anything left after that goes into our capital improvement for things like new ambulances.”

Abrahamson said that the Phillips County EMS recently visited area students and presented them with first aid kits.

“We did that in April,” Abrahamson said. “We built them in Ziplock bags and put all the things inside the bag for a starter first aid kit. Then we went into the school and did a presentation, going through everything in the kit and how to use the items.”

Abrahamson said that each year the Phillips County EMS goes to local schools and puts on different presentations for the students, adding that next year the presentation will likely feature extrication from a vehicle.

Abrahamson said that there are currently 26 volunteers in the organization with another 10 currently taking EMS classes who will graduate at the end of the month.

“They still have to do a practical exam and a written test,” she said. “But May 30 is our last day.”

The next EMS class offered will depend on the number of people interested in participating, but Abrahamson said classes will likely begin again in the fall. If people are interested in becoming a volunteer EMS, they can contact Abrahamson at 654-2336.

Abrahamson said that the Phillips County Ambulance Association currently has five ambulances in the fleet – one in Saco, one in Whitewater, two in Malta and one that is a spare.

The EMS Week Kickoff Community BBQ will be on Saturday, May 16 starting at 11 a.m. at the Malta Fire Hall. A free will donation can be given and is greatly appreciated.