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Schmidt appointed outreach training coordinator for ambulance service
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By Greg Schieber
Special for the Argus
As proved when Wayne Buege suffered a heart attack last fall, swift action from bystanders can save a life. Nobody understands this better than the Caledonia Ambulance crew and now with the creation of an outreach training coordinator position, they stand poised to assure members of the community have the skills necessary to aid victims of cardiac arrest and other injury.
Joannie Schmidt, a four year veteran of the department, was appointed to the position March 9. During the day she works as a registered nurse in cardiology at Fransiscan Skemp.
“I like helping people and I especially love emergency care and cardiology. I wanted a fast paced job that’s rewarding,” she explained of her decision to enter the medical field. “I like teaching and practicing emergency care,” she also described, attributes important to her new role.
Until now, outreach activities have been informally organized and done on an as needed basis. With the popularity of their services growing and a greater emphasis on EMS skills in the work place, Caledonia Area Ambulance Director Mike Tornstrom saw the opportunity to take the next step in creating structure to the program by dedicating an outreach coordinator.
Describing their motivations, Tornstrom said, “the department was created because there is truly a need in the community. Many employers require employees to have certain certifications. We figured, why don’t we offer it instead of having outside people come into the community? It’s also a wonderful link between the ambulance and the community.”
Schmidt stated the goal is to get “more people trained in the community since they are the first line. It takes us five to 10 minutes to get to a scene. They can do CPR even as the ambulance is coming. It’s to really promote the CPR because it does save lives.” Her duties will include organizing certification classes, assisting citizens with re-certifications and answering other related questions. Along with Schmidt, five other Caledonia Area Ambulance members are certified to instruct classes. Those five instructors will all play a role in educating the community, but Schmidt will be the organization behind it all.
Offerings include CPR, First Aid, blood-born pathogens, and AED training as well as first responder classes. In the future they hope to offer an EMT certification class if the interest exists.
Tornstrom described Schmidt as a “go getter.” He continued, “she’s really taken a good grasp on EMS education. Every time she teaches classes we hear a lot of good comments back. We’re proud of her.”
For anyone interested in more information concerning EMS training, whether needing certification, re-certification, or help deciding what certifications may be appropriate for themselves, they can contact Joannie anytime at 725-8604 or 507 251 7949.
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