Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance doubles number of EMT's following class, recent certifications

The Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance has recently brought on three new EMTs.

Ron Arambarri, Klara Varga, and Chelsea Woodland all took the EMT class offered in Lincoln earlier this year and have now passed their tests to join the LVA as full EMTs.

"This was kinda an odd class," said Aaron Birkholz, LVA President, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the class.

The three new EMTs will double the number of active EMTs for the LVA. "It's gonna help," said Birkholz. "I think Ron will be the first to get there if it's way east of town and help us that way." He added that it's hard to keep enough active EMTs, because everyone is so busy and also work outside of their volunteer ambulance work.

In addition, the ambulance has been especially busy this year, Birkholz said. "It has been ridiculous. Our average, we should be around 90 runs right now. I think we're around 110. We're actually probably even 40 ahead," said Birkholz, noting that if Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department sprinters go out and the ambulance is no longer needed, the run doesn't get recorded.

"It should help spread the call volume out among several (EMTs), instead of just a few," said Kristie Fry, who taught this class of EMTs.

With the changing seasons, Birkholz noted that runs won't slow down, but the nature of the calls will change, saying that trauma calls are more common during the summer while fall has more flu, cold and illness related calls.

"We're always looking for more responders and more EMTs," said Birkholz. If there's enough interest, the LVA will likely host another EMT class in 2022. "We're so busy, I think our next one we're going to see about bringing in an instructor. It's a lot of work," said Birkholz, saying instructors put in about 10-15 hours of prep during the four months of classes, in addition to the hours spent in the classroom.

People interested in becoming EMTs can also attend classes around the state. If they become responders for the LVA, Birkholz said, then they can be reimbursed for EMT class costs after they go on a certain number of ambulance runs.

The Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance also recently received a Montana Department of Transportation grant for $45,000, with a $4,500 match requirement. The funds purchased 20 new radios for responders, so that they can answer when a call goes out and to ensure communication in areas without cell service.