An area ambulance service is downgrading its services due to financial burden and is looking for new first responders in 2024.  Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance Service announced that it will become a basic volunteer transport service with upgraded capabilities.  The hope is that they will continue to staff the service with basic EMT’s.  When they have a paramedic or advanced EMT, they will be able to upgrade a call to Advanced Life support if needed.  If a call needs a higher level and there is no higher level available, then whoever is on that call may need to call for help from another service meeting them en route to the hospital.  If no one answers, whoever is available may go to the call and take care of the patient until another service arrives.  The hope is that when the service is financially stable and staff is available they can return to the service they provide now which is advanced life support service. 

NWAAS (Nokomis Witt Area Ambulance Service) says that they have trained first responders who are able to drive for the service which will help out to where they will need an EMT and First responder to drive. They will also be hosting a first responder class sometime after the first of the year.  This class is free to the community and is six weeks long.  It will allow you to drive the ambulance and treat a patient within a certain scope of practice such as oxygen, nebulizer, low blood sugar, overdose, and other smaller treatments. If you are interested in taking the class, contact Joletta Hill at 825-8775, Nokomis Fire Chief Michael Smalley, Witt Fire Chief Donnie Keiser, or Mayor Dylan Goldsmith.  

If you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to attend the January 8th board meeting at 7 PM.  You can also contact Joletta Hill—Nokomis, Angel Lynch—Witt, Mary Spierer—Coalton, Dennis Aumann—Ohlman, Aaron Johnston—Wenonah, Nelson Aumann—Nokomis, Jim Miller—Witt, Dave Schweitzer—Rountree Township, and Annet McNeil—Audobon.