 |
November 2008 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
EMT classes offer chance to help others in the community |
|
|
|
Wednesday, January 02 2008 |
By CHRIS MEYERS
Staff writer
Whether it’s saving a life, helping someone up from a fall or just putting a Band-Aid on a nephew’s scraped elbow at a family reunion, the skills learned in EMT courses can be used in just about any walk of life.
In an attempt to give local residents a chance to learn those skills and serve their communities, Whitley County will be offering an EMT course starting Tuesday.
The course will run from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays until May.
“They learn the basics like back-boarding, splints and bandaging,” said Kathy Shively, director of communications for Whitley County and an EMT on the Churubusco ambulance, which is exactly where more EMTs are needed.
The medics and paramedics on ambulances in Columbia City are paid positions, but those in ’Busco and South Whitley are volunteer positions and more are needed.
“It’s getting harder and harder to find volunteers,” said Deb Brice, a paramedic for Whitley County, adding that daytime help is where volunteers are needed most.
Despite being volunteers, EMTs in South Whitley and ’Busco do get stipends for some clothing and equipment.
Shively said the upcoming course is the perfect way for someone to start a career as an EMT.
As for anyone wondering if they have what it takes to handle the stress that can sometimes come with the job, ways to handle emergencies are covered in the courses.
“They train us to handle those situations … we can teach anybody,” said Tiffany Swinehart, a county dispatcher and medic, who added that many people who are now medics were hesitant about whether they would be able to handle some situations.
Hands-on training and practice scenarios for various emergencies are part of the course as well as time spent in the emergency room and riding along in ambulances.
Brice said there are many emergency situations local medics have to handle, but many times they handle calls for general help.
“Sometimes it’s life or death, but most of the time it’s helping your neighbor … and giving back to your community,” she said.
As for age ranges, some medics working in the county now are in their late 50s or mid-60s and are still able to offer care as needed.
Shively said she doesn’t lift as much heavy equipment as in the past, but age hasn’t changed much else about what she can and can’t do.
Anyone interested in the course should call Brice at 248-9351 and leave a message or send an e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
“I think it’s invaluable knowledge,” Brice said. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, January 03 2008 )
|
 |  |  |  |  | | My Mom (Elly Crawford) would always make this Cranberry
Salad, to die for. The year she passed away I had tried my mother-in-laws and others
but never the same as my Mom's. A year had went by and I had Looked and Looked for
her recipe in her old fashion Tin recipe box. Could not find it. I thought, wow was
this like her Famous Potato Salad, In her head and never wrote down. Silly I know
But as I searched thru her tin recipe box again, I made sure I put each hand wrote
card back where she had kept it. I wanted to make sure it was Just like my mom had
always had it and left it. I kept look one at a time, And low and behold stuck
between two cards was the recipe, I sat and held it as the tears ran down my face. I
had found it and was finally going to have Mom's Cranberry Salad. I called My Dad,
Cecil and said over 20 times, " Dad I found it Dad I found it!" I then prayed and
ask Mom, OK come on help me make this just like you did. And I guess Mom heard
me cause the 2nd and 3rd Thanksgiving without my Mom I had "Mom's Cranberry
Salad" and I will again this year and years to come. Thanks Mom I love you- Sheryl
xoxo P.S. You ask? Well share this recipe.... Umm, I
think NOT, Took me to long to find it. - Sheryl Hackett (Churubusco, IN) My late grandmother, Margarette Ruthsatz always made
scalloped oysters for the holidays. The recipe would be similar to scalloped corn
but instead of corn,oysters.We always hoped for left-overs and often would sneak it
cold from the fridge! Someone brings this dish every year. - Pam Sorg (Columbia City, IN) I love Thanksgiving. All my family get together at my mom and
dad's. My daughters and I usually go early to help Mom get the dinner ready, but she
does most of it. We eat about one and are all stuffed. After clean up we wait for
the paper so my sister and I can scope out all the sales for the next day which we
call Jackie and Laura's Big Adventure. It is the one day that we just spend time
together and are amused with all the shoppers going crazy for that perfect Christmas
gift. - Jackie White (Columbia City, IN) My mother-in-law, the late Mildred Weeks, gave me this recipe
and it is the only salad I fix for Thanksgiving and I am willing to share.
CRANBERRY SALAD1 lb package cranberry's (I freeze them and
then grind them)2 medium size oranges1 cup sugar1 package red
jello2 red apples diced small1 cup chopped nuts1 cup celery diced
smallGrind cranberry's and oranges;add sugar (let set overnight) okay if not.
Add apples, celery, jello and nuts.
- Rowena Weeks (Ridgecrest, California)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
