Community Assets: Health
An EMT’s reflections on the role of rural community health, a key asset of the Ogallala Commons Commonwealth.
Continuing on my theme from this last post, I’m going to tackle another hugely important key asset of the Ogallala Commons Commonwealth—health—through my lens as an Emergency Medical Technician. Clearly, the aspect of community health goes much beyond this, but perhaps this will open thoughts and doors for us all to venture further in our knowledge.
The Problem
For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of becoming an EMT like my parents (2010 EMTs of the Year in my state—go Dad and Mum!). Every time their radios blared or the sirens started, I longed to climb on the ambulance and go wherever they went. Maybe because I admired their passion for helping people and wanted to do the same. Maybe because I just love flashing lights and wailing sirens. Maybe both. Whatever it was, the rainy February day I passed my certification test was one of the most exciting days of my life—I love being an EMT.
But, even living in the context of Emergency Services my whole life, until I became a first responder, I had no idea about the extent of challenges faced by rural healthcare. And even now, the scope of my knowledge is pretty small. The health asset, as defined by Ogallala Commons, includes
“the resources for physical, mental, and spiritual wellness and well-being that exist in the community or region”.
That’s a huge range of impact!
From hiring qualified doctors...
…to finding enough volunteer EMTs who have the passion and time to keep up with the same amount of training as full time EMTs…
…to long transport times (from my hometown, the closest hospital is 20 miles away, much longer for those who live on rural farms and ranches)…
…to community health education programs…
…to providing services like occupational or physical therapy or counseling…
…It’s a challenge.
The Solution
So what are some solutions to providing quality healthcare in rural situations? There are obviously many, but here’s just a few I’ve seen work in my own community, and in the Ogallala Commons region.
Passionate leaders
As with most things, improving community health begins with having a leader. The person(s) who make it their mission to instigate change. They pursue the funding, search out the best and brightest volunteers, and do whatever it is that needs done.
Most of all, though, they care about people.
In my sphere of experience, one of these is the director of our Emergency Medical Services who works day and night (literally, many times) to provide our county with the best service possible. He’s incredibly good at his job, and he is one of the most passionate (and compassionate) people I have ever met.
Active and Professional Volunteers
Leaders can’t lead unless someone is behind them. Whether this comes in the form of volunteers willing to put in hundreds (or, by the end of their careers, maybe thousands) of hours in training and responding as EMTs, or in volunteering at the hospital, or getting trained in CPR. It can even be something as simple (though not always easy) as organizing fundraising events. Volunteers are one of the most vital parts of rural health.
Education
A community who lacks knowledge of the needs and opportunities for healthcare won’t make use of it or become part of making it more successful.
For community health leaders, maybe this means showing up at career fairs or in classrooms and school assemblies.
For schools, maybe it’s getting a grant like my high school did that helps provide extra healthy food options for all students. It also promotes all kinds of health and wellness activities for the staff and students.
For students, maybe this comes in the form of an internship, where you not only learn, but work on programs to help others learn. By the way, Ogallala Commons provides great opportunities for interns. Check out the blogs of Bre (pre-med), Julianne (sociology), and Alba (accounting), who all interned in health care fields.
Open Conversation
Health can be a touchy subject. There are tons of regulations (a lot of them necessary) and even more opinions (a lot of them unnecessary). One of the simplest ways we have found to address the subject is to…wait for it, this is profound…
Address it!
Be open and honest. For our volunteer Quick Response Team, I started a Facebook page. We share helpful tips, promote related community events, interact with other departments, advertise our annual benefit auction, and just generally get our voice in the public square. This is definitely not the only way to do it…but at least it’s a start!
Funding
I’ve hinted previously at this practical factor, but let me just come out and say it: pretty much everything costs something. Especially when discussing our health.
I’ve seen some great examples in my community of funding health organizations or projects. Obviously, there are grants out there for a lot of things, and these can be super helpful. In addition, our small town has an outstanding reputation for showing up and representing at fundraisers.
Our small, volunteer branch of the hospital ambulance service depends heavily on monetary donations and an annual auction fundraiser. It’s become tradition that every summer, locals donate a little of everything under the sun to the Fire/EMS crews. We pick up the donations, spend a few days organizing them, and one Saturday only, auction it off. It’s more than your average fundraiser because the community all comes together and spends the whole day together, laughing, chatting, and occasionally driving up the price on ridiculous items, just for a good cause.
All that to say…there’s a limited amount of financial resources available, so find creative ways to (sorry, I have to…) FUNdraise.
Each of these is only part of the equation that makes up this key asset of the commonwealth. Combined, they can help create and sustain vibrant, healthy communities.
