WHEATLAND — Local emergency responders celebrated National Emergency Services Week with a cookout Thursday afternoon at the ambulance garage by Wheatland Middle School.
Robin Campbell, Platte County Memorial Hospital EMS chief, said the cookout was held last spring and plans are to have it every year. She said the public is always invited to the cookout, which gives community members a chance to meet emergency responders in a relaxed environment.
“It’s a nice way to visit on a non-emergency basis,” Campbell said. “Usually when people meet us, they are not having a good day.”
She pointed out the ambulance was also open for children’s tours, noting they had shown it to several that day.
Campbell said the cookout was attended by not only PCMH EMS staff, but also staff from Chugwater EMS, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Wheatland Police Department and Platte County Sheriff’s Department. She added area dispatchers were also invited to the event.
Campbell showed off the T-shirts and bracelets she gave to emergency responders during the cookout.
“It’s a gesture from EMS to all of public safety,” Campbell said. “The message is: We’re all in this together.”
The cookout started at noon and continued until all the food ran out. They served bratwurst, hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as cake, ice cream and beverages.
“It’s to celebrate all the emergency services,” Jim Cussins, PCMH finance director, said as he monitored the grill.
National EMS Week, May 20-26 this year, is presented by the American College of Emergency Physicians in partnership with the National Association of EMTs, according to the ACEP website, acep.org. National EMS Week brings local communities together with their emergency responders to publicize safety and honor the emergency responders.
