EMT-B: Brad Nelson

After becoming an EMT-B (emergency medical technician-basic) for volunteer Fire District 10/11 in 1993, Brad  Nelson has often been told that he adds calmness to a hectic scene.

"I would have become an EMT sooner, but I didn't have the time until I moved to Royal City in 1992," Nelson said. "However, I did encourage my wife to get involved earlier than I could."

Nelson's wife is still involved with Fire District 10/11 as the assistant fire chief over  emergency medical service. 

Through the years with Fire District 10/11, the system has evolved, mainly for the better, Nelson believes. And he says more evolution is needed to insure the best-quality service to the growing population of limited-English speakers.

"We need native Spanish speakers because a majority of our calls are for that population. There's a difference between an Anglo-American who can speak Spanish and a native Spanish speaker. The difference is that having a native Spanish speaker on the ambulance helps take the edge off of a tense situation for some patients."

"We also need more youth involved in the Fire District," Nelson said.

 Nelson is 65. So he considers anyone under 45 a kid.

Comments Nelson has heard from the community over the years are generally, "more compliments than misunderstandings." Many people are grateful that someone they know is on the ambulance.

Nelson is concerned about having that kind of  hometown attention to medical emergency needs into the future. He noted there will be an election in August regarding the renewal of emergency medical services.

"I wish the community understood what a good deal they are getting from the Fire District 10/11 volunteers," Nelson said. "We are staffed by people who are there because they simply care. Also, I wish people understood that when they see a new fire truck, it is  usually a product of our fire chief's hard work on getting grants."

Nelson has been out on numerous calls over the years. He chuckles when he remembers the call at which he felt he accomplished the most good.

"On one call I had to be a human bridge to support an end of a backboard so the volunteers could get a patient out safely," he said.

An accident involving a car and semi-truck and trailer left the car and the semi-trailer hanging over a big drain ditch with a victim inside of the car.

There have been a couple of calls involving family. On one, he needed transport after an electrical accident. One involved a close family member who needed transport.

"I was grateful to know they were in good hands because they were with people I know and trust," Nelson said.