Winneshiek County's shortage of emergency medical responders has been resolved--mostly

If you have a medical emergency, chances are very good that if you make a call, an emergency medical responder will be sent to your home or office.

Last year at this time, Winneshiek County officials were worried about a decline in the number of responders.  They put out the word that people were needed who were willing to get the training and begin doing the job.

Winneshiek County EMS Association President Steve Vanden Brink says that appeal appears to have worked.  He says there are now 69 emergency medical responders in the county--14 higher than at this time last year.  Those 14 people agreed to sign up and get the training needed for their new jobs.

Winneshiek County is serviced by three transport ambulance services.  Winneshiek Medical Center Ambulance, Ossian Ambulance and Frankville Ambulance.  Winneshiek County has First Responders services in Burr Oak, Highlandville, Castalia, Decorah, Ridgeway and "South Winn" area that covers Calmar, Fort Atkinson, Spillville, Festina and Jackson Junction. 

The only remaining issue is that not all of these emergency responders are distributed evenly around the county.  South Winneshiek has the highest number of emergency responders--22.  Castalia, Kendallville and Highlandville are still very low in the number of emergency responders, with Highlandville having just one.

Still, says Vanden Brink, "We're in better condition than we were last year."