This week is recognized as National Emergency Medical Services week and it’s a time to highlight and give thanks to those who are first responders and medical volunteers and the jobs they do.

Grand Junction Rescue Captain Pierre Kellogg says they have four volunteer Emergency Medical Team members including himself, Jessica Habben, Lindsay Jacobs and Mary Tansfeldt. Since the rescue unit partners with the fire department, both entities respond to calls mostly in the Dana, Grand Junction and Rippey areas. He talks about why he continues to be a part of the rescue unit.

“Because I love it. My dad was on the fire department when I was in high school back in the late 1970s to the early 80s. And then when I moved back to Grand Junction in 1996, I think in 1999 I got on the fire department. A few years later I was basically told I was going to be an EMT. It’s a way that I can help the community and let’s face it, it’s fun to drive big red fire trucks with lights and sirens.”

Kellogg says there is some extensive training needed to become an EMT. Some of the training includes a two to four month course, usually through a community college Then there’s practical and final tests, followed by a national registry test before an individual can be licensed. Kellogg admits that the future of EMS units, with the shrinking number of volunteers, doesn’t look good. But he hopes more people will step up and help their communities by being an EMT.

“I just putting out a general plea to anyone that’s listening to the radio. If you want to become a member of the EMS or EMT in the Grand Junction area, please come and talk to one of us. We just need the help. And Grand Junction is not the only one department that’s having this problem, it’s pretty much all over.”

Greene County currently has a rescue unit in Grand Junction and Churdan, as well as Greene County Emergency Medical Services that covers the entire county.