District One EMS

Dane County District One EMS

Serving Black Earth and Mazomanie

Schedule

Newsletter

WE WANT YOU!

District One EMS is continually recruiting local residents who are interested in joining a professional volunteer organization. All training and equipment is furnished to members at no cost. Your desire to help and commitment to others is the trade off. You may use the “Contact Us” link at left, or give us a call at 795.9860 for further information.

Common EMS Myths

The following are the most repeated myths that prevent people from pursuing the opportunity to become an EMT.

MYTH: MOST OF THE RUNS ARE BLOODY AND GROTESQUE: The truth is that the majority of runs are for physically ill people or injuries that are not bloody.

MYTH: YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SPELL AND SAY RAPIDLY THREE TIMES, "MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION”: There is a fear of medical terminology, but EMT training doesn’t require a prior knowledge of medical terminology. The emphasis for EMTs is always on being clear and understood rather than being overly technical.

MYTH: MOST CALLS ARE LIFE AND DEATH. It always feels to be life and death if it is a family member or you who needs emergency medical care. Most often what is needed in emergency situations is a trained person with a cool head to stabilize the situation, prevent additional injury, and comfort the individual. Almost all situations are manageable.

MYTH: DISTRICT ONE HAS ENOUGH EMTs: There are never enough EMTs. We would prefer to have four EMTs on call at all times, but too often we must run with less. Also, the more EMTs, the lighter the load on each person, preventing burnout.

MYTH: AN EMT IS ALWAYS ON CALL: EMTs volunteer the hours they will be in the area and available to respond to calls as part of a monthly schedule.

MYTH: YOU MUST HAVE NERVES OF STEEL: The truth is that we always respond to emergencies as a team, so we have one another for support. Most EMTs say that we do what is necessary to aid the victim, which sometimes is more than was previously thought possible.

MYTH: YOU MUST BE BIG STRONG AND MALE: District One has and needs both men and women to serve as EMTs. An EMT does need to be in good physical and mental health.

MYTH: YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN THE DISTRICT: Membership is available to all who qualify. Sleeping quarters are available to members who live more than four minutes from the station.