Answering the call

During this National EMS Week, celebrated on May 19-25, 2024, one of the major focal points in the emergency medical services (EMS) profession, at least in North Dakota, is the shortage of volunteers for first response.

Often times, those few minutes that it takes for a 911 call to go through radio dispatch, paging the appropriate service, and hoping that they are fully staffed to arrive on scene are becoming more and more crucial.

Jerome Short has seen it all in his 43 years on McHenry Ambulance, from the service's beginnings in 1977 to the small, but dedicated, force it is today.

Now, his daughter, Jakenda, represents the next generation to serve the residents of eastern Foster and western Griggs counties in their time of greatest need.

A long tradition

Jerome follows in the footsteps of his aunt, Gayle Short, who was one of the original 13 members of the service.

"[They] were there for my grandpa, Rupe Short, when he had a heart attack, as well as calls for accidents involving my friends," he recalled. "I could see a definite need and a difference they made, and I wanted to be a part of it."

Personal experience also drove home the need for EMS service for Jerome.

Using the skills he learned, he was able to give himself first aid when he accidentally severed a tendon with an axe and had an arterial blood spurt.

He tied a pressure bandage over the wound, and knowing he was dangerously close to shock, his uncle got him to the emergency room in timely fashion.

When asked why he does it, Jerome explains, "Besides the need that someone has to do it, being in a small community, you know most of the people you go on calls to, which is both good and bad.

"For me, it's hard to put into words, 'cause we're not looking for a pat on the back. Just helping someone in need gives me great satisfaction, and if we made a difference in the outcome and see someone we helped walking and getting around and back at home again, that makes it all worthwhile."

When he began with the service, the basic requirements were largely the same as they are now, but members are required to take an emergency vehicle operations course (EVOC).

"Also, the equipment we carry has changed, such as a 12-lead defibrillator, Lucas device [for CPR compressions], power cots, stair chairs, tourniquets and vacuum splints, and the knowlege of how to use them," he says. "What hasn't changed is providing comfort and care for those who need it."

He explains that becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT), or the third level of provider past CPR driver and emergency medical responder (EMR), takes a big commitment.

"We take 144 hours of classroom instruction, a practical test, and you need 40 hours of continuing education credits every two years to get recertified," he says. "Medical advancements and techniques are constantly changing, so keeping up with protocols and treatment is an evolving process."

He added that keeping up with skills is one of the most challenging parts of his job, because, "You get such a variety of different calls, like heart attacks, stroke, accidents, broken hips, and respiratory attacks, but not a lot of each one."

A typical call lasts two to three hours from the time the call is received, to response, to picking up the patient(s) for transport, delivering them to the hospital, driving back, sanitizing the ambulance post-call, and paperwork.

Jerome says that with that time commitment, there is the risk of missing holidays and special events.

"I once missed Christmas transferring a patient to Fargo," he said.

He takes great pride in being part of the EMS system, and has an active interest in keeping it going.

"For a town the size of McHenry and the surrounding communities, to keep a volunteer ambulance service going for 47 years says a lot for the dedication of the community. Providing a service 24/7 has taken many volunteers over the years."

A recruitment drive held over 10 years ago yielded seven people who would take the EMT course, and all are still part of the service today.

"We're fortunate to have 14 members right now, three of which are new," he says. "We're always looking for new recruits and discussing any possible new ones to reach out to."

One of Jakenda's classmates, Lauren (Topp) Staton, lives in Grace City and is a member of the service, and Jordan Kapelle signed on a year ago.

New blood in the service

Since she was very young, Jakenda says that she has always wanted to follow in her dad's footsteps.

Considering she was born in a Ford pickup on the way to the hospital, it would only logically follow that she would do so.

"My dad didn't want any part of the delivery process, but I guess he got to be on the front line to that," she said with a laugh.

She credits her dad as her main motivator for service.

"He's my role model because he is such a hard worker, is compassionate, and has a strong sense of leadership, is dependable, and trustworthy," she says.

While going to school for physical therapy at the University of Mary, Jakenda finds it difficult on occasion to be home long enough to take calls for service, but whenever she is in town, she makes a point to be on call.

"There are so many positives to working on a rural ambulance," she says. "You become close and comfortable with your co-workers, and learn how each person operates."

Some of the challenges she mentions include staffing and response time, and she, Jerome and other McHenry Ambulance personnel are always in need of more volunteer EMTs to assist in taking calls at all hours of the day.

Jakenda says she hasn't been on many responses for service with her dad yet, but when she has, she says Jerome's laid-back and funny nature shines.

"He is so knowledgeable, confident in his skills, and a positive person," she said. "He's very supportive, but also pushes me to be the best version of myself."

For those interested or on the fence for joining McHenry or any other local EMS service, Jakenda urges prospective volunteers to do it.

"I promise, it will be worth it. You'll be surprised with how you handle yourself in a stressful situation," she says. "The best advice I can give is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. The faster you can get past that fear of being out of your comfort zone, the easier it will be."

Jakenda plans to finish up her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at UMary, and hopes to find a job in the area so she can continue to be part of McHenry Ambulance.

Anyone wishing to join a local EMS service can contact the following persons:

• McHenry: Jerome Short, (701) 650-0238, e-mail Manager Sharon Eversvik at [email protected], or contact any member of the McHenry Ambulance Service. They are also on Facebook, and their mailing address is P.O. Box 471, McHenry, ND 58464.

• Bowdon: Manager Cheryl Flick, 962-3646, or visit the Bowdon Ambulance Facebook page or contact any service member.

• Carrington: Contact CHI St. Alexius Carrington Medical Center President and Carrington EMS member Jodi Hovdenes at 652-7140, Manager Mark Meyer at his cell number, (307) 258-7710, or the ambulance bay at 652-2374.