Ridgeview strengthens emergency response staff in the Belle Plaine, Gaylord and Le Sueur communities

Ridgeview recently hired several new Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to strengthen local emergency response for the communities of Belle Plaine, Gaylord and Le Sueur. The newly-certified EMTs were trained by Ridgeview Paramedics and Le Sueur residents Jennifer Hovick and Thomas Svihel, Sr.

The new EMTs successfully completed comprehensive training that included Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training for adults, children and infants. An EMT class is 120 hours and is held over a 6-month period. It incorporates medical terminology, how to access patients and many different basic life support skills.

According to Sara Burton, paramedic and manager, Ridgeview Ambulance, there were more than 2,400 ambulance calls for emergency response in 2023 in the Belle Plaine, Gaylord and Le Sueur communities.

“Local residents who give back to their communities by becoming EMTs are vital to emergency medical services. The mix of EMTs and paramedics lead Ridgeview’s efforts to increase the level of service and care provided to residents in emergency situations,” Burton added.

To learn more about emergency response positions and other career opportunities at Ridgeview, visit our careers page.