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   Every EMS clinician carries one call with them forever, not for its heroism but for its humanity. A child whose breathing finally stabilized, a grandmother whose hand was held until her family reached her side, or a stranger who, despite fear and pain in their eyes, chose to trust them.

   These moments seldom make headlines, yet they influence outcomes and change lives. These outcomes go beyond just vital signs. They include people returning home, families remaining united and communities feeling safer because someone was there when it mattered most.

   Today’s EMS clinicians bring advanced skills and innovative tools to these moments: evolving models of care that serve patients in big cities, tribal lands, rural plains and everywhere in between: prehospital ultrasound, early stroke recognition, and whole blood transfusion. These advancements are creating a measurable difference well before the patient reaches the hospital.

   Improving Outcomes, Together extends beyond medicine. It’s a collective responsibility that involves investing in the people behind the care with fair pay, safe staffing levels, mental health resources, leadership that listens and acts, and opportunities for professional growth.

This week, we recognize the people behind the patch and reaffirm our commitment, as partners and communities, to Improving Outcomes, Together.

At Remer Area Ambulance Service, we have lived this dedication since 1965 when a few neighbors decided they needed to organize to deliver residents to a hospital.  Bob Burch, Bob Bailey, Cliff Fletcher, Pat Bushaw, Vernon Chenovert, John Russell and Harold Brown were the founding fathers of what we have now. The men described using a hearse in the early years, which caused much anxiety being transported that way.  In 1976, they were organized under the State of Minnesota, which means we are celebrating our 50 year anniversary this year.  We will honor that with an open house sometime this summer.  They mentioned being transported themselves in their later years and said to try to thank the EMT/EMR volunteers that take their time to train and go on calls at the buzz of the pager:  Chief Diane Ammerman, Amber Ammerman, Dutch Ammerman, Dave Anderson, Pat Dysart, Mindi Genz (Supplies), Kayla Harris (OSHA), Lyndsay Hauskins (Staff), Manja Holter (Secretary), Brad Huber, Terri Julkowski (Public Relations), Shiela Lego, Vicki Nelson (Staff), Carol Procopio, Lynn Remington, Jordan Sawatzky, Lori Sizenbach, Cindy Thompson, David Thompson, Jennifer Welk, Gene Wempner and Dr. Peter Tanghe (Medical Director).

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