While many rural areas see a decrease in healthcare access, Blairstown EMS enjoys continued community support

Blairstown, IA (May 7, 2019)  Based in Blairstown, Iowa (pop. 692), the 39 members of the Blairstown EMS are excited for the delivery of their new ambulance. The new ambulance offers improved reliability and incorporates modern safety features for both the crew and patients. New safety features include upgrades to the sirens, LED emergency lights, medication storage and compliance with current accident safety requirements as well as a new communication system. The ambulance will continue to use recently upgraded equipment from the previous ambulance including a power lift-and-load cot system and a combination cardiac monitor/ defibrillator that transmits heart rhythms to the receiving hospitals.

While many local communities struggle to find volunteers, Blairstown EMS has been able to consistently fill its roster with local and out of town volunteers to staff the ambulance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each volunteer signs up for a minimum of three 12 hour shifts each month, and each shift consists of three staff members including a driver and two EMT’s or a driver, EMT, and paramedic. Volunteers from the surrounding community travel to Blairstown for their assigned shifts and stay at the station. Blairstown EMS celebrates the fact that its volunteers have a variety of backgrounds including full time medical, city employees, students, and retirees looking to stay active.

The Blairstown Ambulance Service provides medical coverage for southern Benton County including Benton Community School District, the towns of Blairstown, Watkins, Norway, Newhall, and the rural townships of Leroy, St. Clair, Florence, Union, and Eldorado. The volunteer service responds to approximately 200 calls per year.

Purchase of the ambulance was made possible by support of the City of Blairstown, surrounding communities and support from our patrons during annual soup luncheons and other fund raisers. Many thanks to those who gave Blairstown Ambulance Foundation over $100,000 in grant awards and gifts. The next project the volunteer service is considering is an addition to their building to accommodate continued crew growth and training needs.

If you would like more information, please call EMS director Mindy Fisher at 319.454.0078 or by email at btownems@netins.net

Blairstown EMS 2019 Ambulance- Supporting Organizations

Max & Helen Guernsey Foundation Grant $20,000
Benton County Supervisors LOSST Fundsb$17,999
Union Pacific Railroad Community Giving Program Grant $15,000
Benton County Community Foundation Grant $10,000
Farm Credit Services of America Working Here Fund $10,000
Leroy Township Trustees $ 7,500
St. Clair Township Trustees $ 7,500
Benton County State Bank $ 7,500
St. Luke’s Rural Healthcare Grant $ 3,000
Watkins Savings Bank $ 3,000
Theisen’s More for Your Community Grant $ 2,250
Blairstown Community Foundation $ 3,000
Blairstown High School Alumni $ 2,000
Alliant Energy Foundation Hometown Safety Grant $ 1,000
Blairstown American Legion $ 500
Frontier Coop Community Giving Grant $ 500