The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current, February 17, 2021, Page 39, Image 39

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    BLUEMOUNTAINEAGLE.COM / 23
EMS
Contributed photo
Volunteers are important for Blue Mountain Hospital District’s emergency medical services.
Volunteers play a crucial role in
BMHD emergency medical services
By Blue Mountain Hospital
Grant County spans over 5,000 square
miles, and with Blue Mountain Hospital
being the only hospital in the county, emer-
gency medical services are one of the most
important needs for our communities. The
Emergency Medical Department at BMH
is fully staffed, but with the size of the
county, volunteers are vital to getting expe-
dited care to patients facing emergencies
prior to transport to the hospital.
Blue Mountain Hospital has ambu-
lances stationed in John Day, Prairie City,
Monument, Seneca and Long Creek, ready
to answer calls should an emergency occur.
Currently there are nearly 30 volunteers
throughout the county that answer these
calls — residing in all the above mentioned
locations, as well as Dayville.
When an emergency occurs in one of the
outlying communities, a licensed volunteer
emergency responder shows up. They will
start medical care, then meet up with the
John Day ambulance who will then inter-
cept the patient and get them to the hos-
pital for further care. Having these vol-
unteers available allows for much shorter
wait times for emergencies.
Blue Mountain Hospital District emer-
gency medical services provide advanced
life support 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Our EMS personnel are highly
trained to state and national standards and
undergo many hours of continuing educa-
tion to maintain their knowledge and skills
at current standards.
If you or someone you know is inter-
ested in becoming a licensed volunteer
emergency responder, contact Rebekah
Rand, Director of EMS at BMHD, rrand@
bluemountainhospital.org.