JWP students take first steps toward public service

There was a large gathering at the Janesville Fire Hall in the early morning of Wednesday, Jan. 14, attended by Janesville Fire Chief Mike Santo; Executive Director of the South-Central EMS Regional Program Mark Griffith; Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas; and Mankato Fire Training Captain Jay Kopischke. Also attending were nine exceptional Janesville Waterville Pemberton (JWP) students, Brayden and Zachery Blasing, Gavin Loken, Raylen Blasing, Dylan Hood, Lily Quast, Dustyn Hill, Jason Wheelock, and Tyler Schmahl.

 

Inside the Janesville Fire Hall was abuzz with a chatting group, excited parents, volunteers and EMS professionals, all suited up and ready for any emergency, but this wasn’t that type of gathering. This was a chance to recognize the hard work and dedication of a select group of JWP students, four of whom are high school seniors. Accepting their Emergency Medical Responder’s Certificates of Attendance. Mike Santo said, “We really appreciate all these kids signing up for this, they passed all the minimal state requirements. The principal asked us about this and what it would take for this to happen. This was done with a recruitment intention, we know there’s a lot of options out there, but we hope we got their attention. The first training for fire fighters is EMR, and these students are also CPR qualified.”

 

Peggy Zinniel, wife to Brad Zinniel, Health Educator at Medical & Safety Resources, Inc., was present to say on behalf of her husband, “Brad’s training this morning, but he wanted you to know how proud he is of you. This is hard, and you guys did it. Medical and safety resources is a family business out of Eagle Lake. This is the first EMR class we’ve done, and we couldn’t be happier with you guys and these results.”

 

Mark Griffith said before he handed out their Certificates of Attendance, “We gave kits to the kids, and I have to say training kids like this is exciting. On behalf of the region, and on behalf of the 15,000 EMS people in all of Minnesota, congratulations on your achievements. You guys pulled together for this and thank you for sacrificing your time to do it. I promise this will set the tone for the rest of your lives. You have set yourselves apart from all the other high school students. Well done.”

 

Toni Walker, manager of the Janesville Casey’s was also present. Her business donated the donuts. She said, “I know all of these kids, I’m here to support all of them.”

 

Once the new EMR recruits were done shaking hands and taking pictures with their certificates, one by one they wandered over to the juice and donuts table and had some breakfast.