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   Remer Area Ambulance Service (RAAS)members voted and Jennifer Welk was elected EMT of the Year for 2026. Jennifer Welk has been serving her community as an EMT for over 30 years. She began her journey in EMS as an EMT for Meds 1 Ambulance based out of Grand Rapids, MN at the age of 18. She met her husband of almost 28 years, Bryan Welk, on an ambulance call. They married and she started volunteering for Remer Ambulance in 1998. They have three children and now two grandsons. 

   She says, “I have always been an empathetic person.” When an ambulance shows up at your house - it is often one of the worse days of your life. She want to make a difference, to be calm, caring and compassionate. Welk love EMS, the people she serves with and the communities they serve. Jennifer wants to say, “Thank you to my crew for electing me as EMT of the year–it means a lot to me!”

   Remer Ambulance is about to serve a milestone anniversary. RAAS was established in 1965 and reorganized under the State of Minnesota in 1976. The organization is 61 years old as the community remembers, celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a MN State governed ambulance service. RAAS wants to have the community celebration with an Open House at the Ambulance building: 401 Industrial Ave. on Sunday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop in to the Remer Volunteer Fire Department pancake breakfast, then over to RAAS for dessert, coffee, juice and door prizes. Volunteers will be taking free blood pressures and have a card to document.

   Remer Ambulance is the last volunteer ambulance service in Cass County. As volunteers, they come from wherever they are–no matter the time, the weather, or what they are doing to respond to the call for help and no matter the weather.  RAAS are always looking for more people to help answer those calls. If you’re interested in joining the service, please call the Remer City Office at 566-4156, or ask a RAAS member.

   Congratulations to Jennifer Welk, thank you for you service and dedication to EMS.

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