The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Last spring, fearing burnout for the dwindling number of certified volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs), the Wahkiakum County Emergency Management Council (EMS) sent out a call for help for volunteers.

The daunting number of hours required for training and continuing education and a lack of pay filtered initial interest down to a class of six with a heart for service and a love for community.

For three months, the six met for training two nights a week and on several Saturdays in Grays River with EMT and Skamokawa Fire Chief Duncan Cruickshank and a couple paramedics from Longview and Portland to learn about anatomy and physiology, first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and cardiac, respiratory and trauma care.

“It was hard,” Darla Mead said, “but it was also a lot of fun.”

Now four have completed their certification, and two more have applied for the test. Some trainees take the state test for certification, but this class from Wahkiakum County set their sights a little higher, angling for the national registry test. The test is more difficult and will allow them to work as EMTs outside the state.

After receiving their licenses, they must commit to continuing education to retain their certification. If they had only taken the state test, they would need to complete 40 hours every year, but the state registry requires 32 more.

“It’s a big time commitment. We want to help the community,” said Jody Tawater, Battalion Chief of EMS and a 10-year volunteer with the department. “Because we can’t afford paid volunteers, this work is pretty special.”

Mead, Kim Sharp, Kandice Stewart and Tom Merz have received certification and are ready for their classmates, Austin Smith and Bobby Stewart to join them.

These rookie EMTs will join the rest of the crew, each potentially sacrificing six sleep filled nights a month to come to the aid of those in our community who need them in the early hours.