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. Submitted photo

MINA — The Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department has increased its ability to respond to calls requiring Emergency Medical Technician Services, 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 hopeful sixth volunteer member of the team is working towards their certification, set to become certified in October.

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

“We will 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 will also free up other volunteer fire departments from having to come and respond to their calls. Altogether, having five new EMTs in their ranks will allow the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department to have an enhanced emergency response, providing faster and more comprehensive emergency medical care, increased coverage and the ability to respond to multiple emergencies simultaneously, and more advanced skills and medical care to Findley Lake and Mina residents.

“We will be able to handle our own calls more effectively and by ourselves than we have in the past few years,” Hamilton said. “If we’re lucky it will get some others interested in diving into becoming certified too.”

Craffey added that having their own in-house experts will also help train some of the people in the department. He said it will also allow residents to have confidence in them.

“I think it will inspire confidence in the townspeople and those who come to visit to know we have this kind of support locally,” Craffey said.

Hamilton said most things will not change and that response time will stay 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 they have.

For the future, Craffey said having five and almost six new EMTs in the department looks good.

“As a newer volunteer in 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 thanks to (Hamilton) and his wife. They have what it takes to attract more volunteers, including younger people who are attracted to come and help. (Hamilton) and others help to set the pace for years to come.”

While these five new certified EMTs help set them up 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 is just volunteering for something small,” Hamilton said.

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