Dinner to thank fire/EMS supporters

Interviewing someone from the emergency services is never easy. I always know there will be an interruption, and that is how it was when I called Hustead EMS Chief Heather Kaufman last week.

We had no sooner said hello than the tones dropped and she had to go.

“Call me back,” I managed to say before she was gone.

I was calling to learn more about an Appreciation Dinner planned for 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Hustead EMS building.

Hustead Fire and EMS serves both Green and Mad River townships and are funded by the cooperative efforts of both townships.

I imagined that the event was probably a dinner for the volunteers, but to my amazement it is going to be a Hog Roast and BBQ for the community being put on by the volunteers. And this isn’t the first time they have done this.

What a novel idea.

“It’s a dinner to thank the community for helping us out,” said Kaufman.

As she explained, this is the department’s way to thank the community for passing levies and supporting them. The volunteers really appreciate the community providing funds to purchase good equipment, and vehicles so they can do their best.

As the department’s Facebook page says, “Come meet your local EMTs and paramedics and see the equipment that your efforts have provided for them. Then stay and enjoy a BBQ dinner as our way of saying thank you!”

The free dinner will not be paid for by tax money or “out of the EMS budget,” Kaufman explained.

It is paid for by the volunteers who have various fundraisers all year long in order to do this. Community members can leave a donation to help pay for the meal if they’d like, but it is not required.

Equipment and vehicles paid for by the taxpayers will be on display, and guided tours of the station will take place throughout the afternoon.

I’m thinking my grandkids would love to see those ambulances up close when no one needs help. They always make a point of watching when one speeds by.

I cannot help but think that little ones who get to see inside those vehicles and meet the smiling paramedics will be less afraid of the sirens and lights if the EMS ever has to come up their driveway.

I always enjoy checking out the vehicle because it amazes me how they get all that equipment into the back and still have room for a patient.

The Hustead EMS and Fire departments have shared their “new” station for nearly eight years now. This well-designed building helps them serve the community in many ways including providing an easy place to vote with plenty of parking, and handicap accessibility.

Over the years Hustead EMS has also been known for looking out for people in its surrounding area in more than just emergency medical services.

Last year, I wrote about their efforts fundraising for little Claire Kaufman’s liver surgery. I’m proud to have a group like this in our community.

Hustead EMS is located at 6215 Springfield-Xenia Road.

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