PO Box 37 | Bridgewater, SD 57319

Ambulance Service

Volunteers needed to keep Bridgewater Ambulance service operating

The future of the Bridgewater Community Ambulance service may depend on additional volunteers stepping forward to help keep emergency medical care available in the community.

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The service is currently facing a critical shortage of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), with only four EMTs remaining on staff following the passing of one longtime member earlier this year. Ambulance officials say the small but dedicated crew has continued covering emergency calls, but the current workload is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

Without additional help, residents could face significantly longer emergency response times if the local ambulance is no longer able to operate. Ambulance crews from neighboring communities such as Freeman or Salem could take at least 25 to 30 minutes to arrive in Bridgewater and surrounding rural areas.

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Emergency responders say those extra minutes can make a life-or-death difference during situations involving breathing emergencies, heart attacks, severe bleeding, vehicle accidents, diabetic shock, or nursing home emergencies. Local coverage currently allows emergency responders to reach patients in approximately eight to 10 minutes in many situations.

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The ambulance service also provides medical coverage for local sporting events and community activities, something that could be lost if staffing shortages continue.

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Officials say one of the biggest challenges facing the service is recruiting new volunteers. Many residents cite busy schedules, work commitments outside the community, or uncertainty about becoming an EMT as reasons for not volunteering. However, ambulance leaders stress that community involvement is essential to maintaining vital services in small towns.

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The Bridgewater ambulance operates with two EMTs and a driver on each call. Of the four current EMTs, one works out of town and is only available for limited weekend shifts, leaving the remaining EMTs responsible for most weekday coverage. As a result, some volunteers have very little time away from being on call, increasing the risk of burnout.

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The service is seeking at least five to 10 additional individuals willing to help keep the ambulance operating. Officials emphasize that the positions are not full-time jobs, but paid volunteer roles designed to share the workload among more community members.

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Training to become an EMT is available through online classes held two evenings per week, along with one Saturday each month dedicated to hands-on instruction. One individual has already expressed interest in enrolling in the August training class, and ambulance leaders hope more residents will consider joining.

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Community leaders say maintaining local ambulance coverage is essential to the safety and future of Bridgewater and the surrounding area.

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Anyone interested in volunteering with the Bridgewater Community Ambulance is encouraged to contact Kendra Julson at the Bridgewater City Finance Office at 605-729-2690 or Ambulance Director Jim Julson at 605-321-7800 before the end of June to enroll in the August EMT training class.