You might be surprised to learn this, but your Emergency Medical Service first responders know how to throw a party! And after a year with an unprecedented 448 EMS calls, often responding to multiple emergencies per day, they really deserved it. Even if some of them did have to leave the festivities for a while, to respond to still more calls. It's all in a day's work for Eagle Grove's selfless emergency responders. In fact, that day they'd had four calls.
Planned by 2020 EMT of the Year Tony Wubben, who is also a member of the Eagle Grove Fire & Rescue squad, and a Behavioral Health counselor with Van Diest Medical Center, the dinner was a fun night full of inventive activities. Which was just what was needed for a group of well deserving people who work hard for their community, and can't always go home at the end of their shift.
Said Wubben of the demands on the team through the previous year, "488 is a substantial amount, much higher than we've ever had." And he noted that the demand was not letting up, as COVID and a growing population continues to complicate their work, even as it increases demand. Which is why a party was kind of a necessity. "We've got to take care of ourselves to be able to take care of others," Wubben remarked.
At the event Lori Wanken Hungate, who has been on the Eagle Grove EMS team for 32 years, taking two years off along the way after starting in 1987 at only $5 an hour, was named EMS Provider of the Year. About receiving the honor Hingate said, "it makes me feel good. I was surprised! I like to teach. I like to make sure people are comfortable doing their jobs on their own." And even though the work often takes her away from family events, even on holidays, Hungate added, "I love my 'job'. It's not really a job, but I love it."
"I want to say thank you for the award I received tonight (at the) EMS party," Hungate later wrote in a Facebook post, "I am blessed to have such a wonderful EMS family. I was really shocked for this tonight." Hungate went on to say that in the years since she started back in 1987 she has seen many people come and go, but enjoyed working with all of them. "We have had good times and sad times but in the end we are all there for each other. Again, thank you everyone for this honor you are all the best."
The Eagle Grove EMS team provides emergency services to Goldfield, Woolstock, and the rural areas surrounding Eagle Grove, in addition to the city itself. Often putting in long, grueling hours under exceptionally trying, sometimes tragic circumstances.
Said Eagle Grove Mayor Sandy McGrath, in attendance not only as Mayor but as an emergency backup ambulance driver herself, in addition to being Wright County Director of Public Health, "If you put it in persepctive, these folks are here 24/7. They're making sure Eagle Grove and the surrounding areas are protected 24/7." Asked why they do it, McGrath responded, "they do it because they want to help their community. I'm just grateful we have people like them."
