Members of the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department receive EMT certification | News, Sports, Jobs

Submitted photo From left are new Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department EMTs Jessy Smulski, Chief Jack Hamilton, Charles Armstrong, Emily Allen, Tom McNinch, Bowie Brown and EMT-in-training Gary Milspaw.

MINA — The Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department has increased its ability to respond to calls requiring the services of emergency medical technicians, with five of its members becoming EMT certified.

The department’s new EMTs include; Bowie Brown, Emily Allen, Tom McNinch, Jessy Smulski and Charles Armstrong. A sixth volunteer team member is working towards their certification, due to become certified in October.

Chief Jack Hamilton said, similar to other departments in the area, the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department has struggled in recent years to get both EMTs and volunteers, saying having five certified now is a problem. “blessing.”

“We’ll be able to respond to calls more efficiently now instead of having to wait for neighboring departments,” Hamilton said.

Board member Mark Craffey added to that, saying it would also free up other volunteer fire departments from having to come out to answer their calls. In total, having five new EMTs in their ranks will allow the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department to have an improved emergency response, providing faster and more comprehensive emergency medical assistance, increased coverage and the ability to respond to more emergencies at once and more advanced skills and medical care for the residents of Findley Lake and Mina.

“We will be able to handle our own calls more efficiently and more independently than we have in the last few years,” Hamilton said. “If we’re lucky, others will be interested in diving in and becoming certified.”

Craffey added that having its own in-house experts will also help train some of the people in the department. He said he would allow residents to trust them.

“I think it will inspire confidence in the townspeople and visitors to know that we have this kind of support locally.” Craffey said.

Hamilton said most things won’t change and response times will remain the same, but the department will no longer have to wait for neighboring departments with available EMTs to come respond to their calls. He added that he hopes this will help the Department to be able to continue to build on what it has.

Looking ahead, Craffey said having five and nearly six new EMTs in the department looks good.

“As a newer volunteer on the administrative side of things, I think it bodes well for our future.” Craffey said. “We have a very involved volunteer community in this town and a lot of that is due to (Hamilton) and his wife. They have what it takes to attract more volunteers, including young people who are drawn to come and help. (Hamilton) and others help set the pace for years to come.”

While these five new certified EMTs help prepare them for the future, Hamilton said they are always looking for more volunteers, and Craffey added that every little bit helps.

“Volunteers are always needed and always welcome, even if it’s just volunteering for something small.” Hamilton said.

For more information about the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department, visit them on Facebook or at visitfindleylake.com.