Central Shenandoah Emergency Medical Services Council
2312 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401 (540) 886-3676 FAX (540) 886-3735
www.csems.org
Email: [email protected]
NEWS RELEASE
Central Shenandoah EMS Council Receives Grant to Fund
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Course in Rockbridge County
(Staunton, Virginia – May 24, 2016) - Central Shenandoah EMS Council
(CSEMS) has received a $22,421.50 grant from the Virginia Department of
Health’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity to train new Emergency
Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the counties of Bath and Rockbridge.
With over 35 years of experience in offering quality EMS training programs,
this funding will enable CSEMS to offer an accredited EMT course in
Rockbridge County with the intent of increasing the number of EMS providers
available to the local volunteer EMS agencies which serve the county. Those
interested in registering for this program, can visit the following link:
http://csems.org/emt-course-rockbridgesvu
“The Council is in a unique position where we have the resources (equipment
and personnel) available to be able to conduct EMS education, we simply do
not have the financial resources to be able to send the requisite personnel to
Rockbridge County to conduct this important training,” said Chad Blosser,
Executive Director of the Council. “This grant opportunity provides the
Council with the financial resources ($9,663) necessary to support EMT
education in Rockbridge County without the need to raise our tuition rates,”
he continued.
Matt Lawler, Director of EMS Programs at CSEMS stated: “EMTs are the
backbone of the emergency medical services system and perform a myriad
of lifesaving interventions. EMTs function as an extension of the modern
emergency department in our healthcare system. The funding afforded by
this grant will support EMS agencies by bolstering the number of EMS
professionals providing service to the localities which will have a positive
impact on the welfare of these communities.”
"This support from the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity will help
the Council maintain the great momentum we gathered over the last few
years" said CSEMS President, Gary Critzer. "Central Shenandoah EMS
Council is a leader in EMS education in the state and the region, so it makes
perfect sense for us to take the lead by expanding the reach of our
accredited EMT programs," Critzer said.
“This is certainly great news for Rockbridge County,” said Rockbridge County
Administrator Spencer Suter. “We rely heavily on our volunteer EMS
providers. These are the folks who roll out of bed in the middle of the night
to help both friends and strangers in their hour of greatest need. This grant
will help add caring providers to the ranks, by providing the necessary
training right here, where it is needed.”
“This grant will go a long way to help increase the number of trained EMS
volunteers in Rockbridge County.” said Steve Reese, President of the
Rockbridge Emergency Rescue Group. “With continued increases in the cost
of training, we not only rely on the Central Shenandoah EMS Council to
provide the area with necessary training, but also look forward to grant
opportunities such as this to help offset costs. We ask so much our
volunteers and anytime we can offer classes locally it reduces the time they
have to spend away from their families.
Central Shenandoah EMS Council is accepting donations to fund future EMS
educational programs throughout its service area which includes the cities of
Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro and the
counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham. For more
information on you can help the Council support its core mission of providing
affordable, high quality EMS educational programs in the region, please visit
www.csems.org/plannedgiving or call Chad Blosser at 540-886-3676.
For more information:
Chad Blosser, Executive Director
540-886-3676
[email protected]
About Central Shenandoah EMS Council, Inc.
The Central Shenandoah EMS Council, Inc. (CSEMS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing regional planning and educational services to the five cities
and five counties, eleven towns and many public agencies within its
boundaries. CSEMS's member localities are the cities of Buena Vista,
Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro and the counties of
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Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham. CSEMS provides
many EMS related services in the Sixth Planning District—a geographic area
of 3,439 square miles with a population of over 278,000—making it the
Commonwealth’s largest planning district, geographically speaking, and fifth
largest in terms of population.
About Rockbridge County
Rockbridge County was established in October, 1777 from parts of now
neighboring Augusta and Botetourt counties, and the first county elections
were held in May 1778. Rockbridge County was named for Natural Bridge, a
notable landmark in the southern portion of the county. Rockbridge County
was formed during an act of assembly intended to reduce the amount of
travel to the nearest courthouse, and to ensure trials were held fairly, and
among friends rather than strangers. Cyrus McCormick, an American
inventor and founder of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company,
invented the mechanical reaper near Steele's Tavern at the northern end of
the county.
The County seat is located in the City of Lexington. The County is governed
by an elected Board of Supervisors, one from each of the 5 magisterial
districts: Buffalo, Kerrs Creek, Natural Bridge, South River and Walkers
Creek. The County Court House, the County administrative offices, Sheriff’s
Department, Public Library and the Rockbridge Historical Society are all
located in the City of Lexington which is enclaved within the county's
geographical borders.
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