Posted: 3/14/07
City names new ambulance director
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Mike Tornstrom set out to be a police officer, but along the way decided that emergency medical services (EMS) work was his passion. He became an emergency medical technician (EMT) in 1990, and a paramedic in 1994. And last week, he became director of the Caledonia Ambulance Service. His appointment was confirmed by the city council on March 5.
"I feel honored to be offered the position," said Tornstrom.
Tornstrom sees his role as more a facilitator than a boss.
"We have truly dedicated EMTs that make the ambulance service the success that it is," he said. He commended Robert Augedahl for the outstanding job he did in his many years as ambulance director, and interim director Mary Betz, who kept things organized while the service was without a permanent director.
Looking to the future, Tornstrom said his goals include getting the ambulance service more involved in the community. He would like to see a training site developed to educate the public on CPR and first aid, and to have the EMTs involved in training others, believing that the best way to improve oneís skills is to teach.
The directorís job is part-time, and with a flexible schedule it will work well with his full-time job at Tri-State Ambulance, where he has been for 13 years.
Tornstrom is a 1987 graduate of Caledonia High School and is the son of Ron and Carolyn Tornstrom. His wife, Kelli (Moore) is an EMT and a nurse. The couple have four children: Brittany, Brandon, Katie and Jordan.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com