Events

Kids Camp
In June 2011, Rice County EMS held its 8th Rice County Kids Camp. This camp is for kids who are entering the 5th and 6th grades and allows them to learn about safety techniques in a camp environment. In 2011, the kids participated in the following activities: boat safety, fire safety, firework safety, gun safety, cyber bullying and stalking, electrical safety, and weather safety. The camp opens with kids getting to see a full scenario, which includes multiple agencies and patients who have been moulaged. This year, the scenario was a mock structure fire where Rice County EMS, Rice County Fire Department, Rice County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lyons Police Department responded. With the kids looking on, the fire department entered the building and pulled out two victims. The police and sheriff’s department had to perform crowd control while Rice County EMS treated the victims. EMS loaded the patients into the ambulance and the kids moved to another area of the camp ground where they got to see an air ambulance (helicopter) from Midwest LifeTeam land. The patient was loaded onto the helicopter and rushed away. After the scenario, the kids got to tour all the emergency vehicles including the helicopter.  They were also bussed, one group at a time, to tour the Rice County Dispatch Center.

The turnout in 2011 was great with 35 participants with the activities being held at Camp Wa-Ja-To, which is located between Lyons and Sterling on K-14 HWY in Rice County. The camp ground features air conditioned camping cabins, shower facility, full kitchen/cafeteria, ponds, and a giant water slide. The kids, as always, had a good time, and we received a lot of positive feedback. We look forward to our 9th Kids Camp. This camp would not be possible without the dedication of the camp staff and volunteers.  We thank them.
View a photo gallery from the event here.

HCC Field Operations
Along with several other agencies throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, Rice County EMS had the privilege of attending the 2011 Hutchinson Community College Joint EMS Field Operations. This event was held at Hutchinson Community College’s (HCC) South Campus located on an old naval air base outside of Yoder, KS. This two-day event allowed paramedic students to work and train on an actual moving ambulance as well as interact with different agencies, professionals, bystanders, family members, and most importantly, treat sick and injured patients. These patients and scenarios are created by careful planning of a committee and moulage experts. Each ambulance agency that volunteers for the event is assigned a team of students who are mentored by that agency. This year, Rice County EMS had a team of students consisting of two HCC students and one Barton County Community College student.

The students got to respond to a wide variety of calls this year. On day one, the students responded to general medical and trauma calls including cardiac arrests, chest pain, lacerations, broken legs, and burns. Paramedic Zach Bieghler of Rice County EMS was the mentor on day one with EMT Shawn Britton as the driver. On day two, the students got to respond to mass causality scenes and were mentored by Paramedic Rebecca Wrench and driver EMT Shawn Britton. The students benefitted greatly from the experience and Rice County EMS looks forward to future field operations with HCC. 
View a photo gallery from the event here.