Imperial EMS fundraising for new protective gear

    After a year of dealing with COVID-19, Imperial EMS wants to get serious about protecting its volunteer members from viruses and other harmful exposures on the scene.
    Currently, members do not have uniforms or proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to wear when they are called out to an accident scene, home or business.
    “We have worn our street clothes on accident scenes, and many times, crawling inside a wrecked car to provide care,” said EMS President Deb Hayes.
    It can be a hazardous environment on the scene with broken glass and other debris all around, she said.
    “Not only will this gear provide protection from hazards at accident scenes, it is also completely waterproof, blood borne pathogen resistant and has a protective barrier against COVID-19, along with other harmful communicable disease exposures,” she noted.
    The 14 sets of gear, which include a jacket, pants and liner for cold weather, arrived mid-May, said Hayes, at a cost of $20,500.
    The department received $3,300 from the county toward the cost. Other donations and memorials have also come in, Hayes said.
    The are hoping to raise the rest.
    During 2020, Imperial EMS answered 255 medical calls for service. Broken down between the day and night shift EMTs, this equals 1,785-man hours or 74, 24-hour days.
    The EMS also volunteers time for fire calls, law enforcement calls, motocross races, the Chase County Fair, preschool and Chase County Schools’ special events, the 2019 Cattleman’s Ball, home football games, among others.
    On top of the calls for service, numerous hours are also logged for members’ annual licensure-mandated training.
    Imperial EMS is a 100% volunteer service and members are not compensated, except for out-of-town transfers to another medical facility. Those payments help personnel with hours missed at work, Hayes said.
Account set up
    Hayes said a “gear account” has been set up at Waypoint Bank in Imperial for donations.
    Residents, clubs and businesses will receive a fundraising letter soon.
    The EMS is also planning an open house at the EMS building soon at which residents will have the opportunity to make a donation, she said.