Callaway Volunteer Fire and Rescue (CVFR) has been awarded The Nebraska EMSC Pediatric Readiness Recognition by the Nebraska Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program. This is a voluntary process offered to all EMS agencies currently licensed within the State of Nebraska. At this time CVFR is one of only nine other agencies in the State of Nebraska who have been awarded this recognition.

The EMSC Pediatric Readiness Recognition program features six required areas of participation in order to achieve recognition which include: compliance with Nebraska EMS statutes and regulations, participation in EMSC assessments/surveys as required each year, designating a pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC), promoting pediatric education and/or pediatric skills, providing community outreach for children, and having pediatric equipment per national recommendations. The recognition shows that CVFR is committed to providing exceptional care to the pediatric population.

CVFR is comprised of all volunteers and has a total roster of 35 members with 13 holding an EMT or RN license and being able to staff the ambulance. CVFR also has three cross-rostered EMS members who are volunteer FD/Rescue members from surrounding communities like Arnold, and Oconto but work in the Callaway community and are able to respond when available. This collaboration between the communities has made a huge impact on responding to calls and getting help to patients in need in a timely manner.

CVFR already had a majority of the requirements in place to achieve this recognition. The Rural Fire Board has been very supportive in assuring the ambulances have all the equipment, supplies and medications needed to care for all patient populations including pediatrics.

With a recent state grant obtained in 2022 totaling just under $50,000, CVFR was able to purchase needed equipment such as a Zoll X monitor/defibrillator for both ambulances. This Zoll monitor gives the providers the ability to monitor vital signs like blood pressure, respirations, oxygen saturation levels, and 12-lead ECGs. It also is able to act as a defibrillator for the adult and pediatric populations. The Zoll comes with enhanced capabilities like transmitting 12-lead ECGs to Callaway District Hospital where providers can then read and interpret the time sensitive results and prepare for the patient’s arrival. Additional new capabilities include monitoring carbon monoxide levels which is valuable when caring for patients who may have been exposed to gas leaks and fires.

Part of the requirements to obtain the recognition is involvement in the community which CVFR has been. Within the last few years CVFR has been involved by offering an American Heart Association Basic Life Support class annually for anyone interested. Last year the rural fire board approved this class to be free of charge for anyone in the community. The rescue members are also active by checking all AED’s located throughout the community on an annual basis to ensure they are functioning appropriately. The ambulance also provides many standbys for events like Callaway school district football games and wrestling matches as well as Seven Valley Rodeo Association events.

The awarded recognition certificate will be on display at the fire station as well with a decal placed on each ambulance. The achievements the Fire Department has gained could not have been met without the continued support of its volunteer members, the rural fire board, medical director Tiffany Svoboda, and members of the community.

CVFR will be holding an open house during EMS week at the fire station on Wednesday, May 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. where the public can meet the volunteers, see the ambulances and equipment, and also obtain information on becoming an EMT and joining the department.