MFAEMS celebrates 40 years Saturday
Contributed
Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Services (EMS) conduct resuscitation practice. The EMS received a $22,256 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative in April for new Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) equipment and they train community members in basic CPR. The MFAEMS will celebrate 40 years of service to south Burnet County at an event from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the station, 609 Industrial Boulevard in Marble Falls.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
An event billed as “food and lots of memories” will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Marble Falls Area Emergency Medical Service from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
It will take place at the EMS station at 609 Industrial Boulevard in Marble Falls and it will be a rare chance outside the throes of an emergency or the clamor of a community celebration to visit with paramedics and technicians.
And the memories will be many for an organization that has grown from a fledgling ambulance in Marble Falls in 1976 to a force of six MICU (Mobile Intensive Care Unit) capable ambulances and two SUV first responders housed at stations in Marble Falls, Granite Shoals, and Horseshoe Bay.
The service runs up to 4,000 calls each year in as many as 450 call per month by 9-1-1 and inter-facility transfers. They are staffed by 48 paramedics, 32 of whom are are full time.
In one report to a city council served by MFAEMS, Executive Director Johnny Campbell, explained some of the challenges the service meets.
“Even though Marble Falls has a population of about 7,500, it breathes like a city of 25,000,” he said. “It has heavy traffic with motor vehicle accidents. Nursing homes and clinics contribute to calls.”
“We have been lucky to have the support twice a year from John and Belinda Kemper at the Blue Bonnet Cafe,” said Kevin Naumann, operations director. “The money from their fish fry fundraisers pays for most of our training.”
The 30th Anniversary of the service already saw the EMS recognized for its quality. The 2006 Private/Public Provider Award of the Texas Department of State Health Services went to MFAEMS.
Beyond response to their calls, the EMS conducts community classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid, career days in the public schools and community events.
Members also hold events to check the fit of child car seats and even help families in need get the proper restraint equipment for their children.
In fact, the next car seat event will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the central station. Citizens can schedule a check by calling the main office at 380-693-7277.
But on Saturday, the come and go anniversary event will be a relaxed, social time to share with the community and everyone is invited.
Some of the early organizers and current supporters, such as Kelly Davis, Carol Nunnally Ratliff, Fay and Bucky Brady and Heidi Braun are active with administration of the board and the planning of the anniversary event and can be counted on for some of the memories.
