EMS service is family affair for Brunners
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Jesse Brunner of Tampa is proud to know that all three of his children are certified as emergency medical technicians. All are listed with Marion County EMS.
Jesse was driving a school bus in 1997 for Centre USD 397 when he was asked to drive an ambulance as a volunteer.
During ambulance runs, he began to ask captain Ron Mueller questions, and Mueller persuaded him to take the training to become an EMT.
Jesse and his oldest daughter, Melissa, took the class together, and both were certified on the same day in 2000.
Daughter Aminda, 26, is a registered nurse, which more than qualifies her for EMT service. She received her nursing degree in February 2004. She lives in Hays but is available to serve whenever she is home.
Jesse's youngest son, Nathan, became certified as an EMT in December.
The 20-year-old is taking classes in Fire Science at Hutchinson Community College two days a week. He will complete his studies at the end of the semester and will receive national certification as a firefighter and hazmat responder.
Several years ago, Jesse took training in administrating IVs and now is certified as an EMTI. Nathan currently is taking classes to become an EMTI and is expected to receive certification by the middle of May.
A daughter's perspective
Melissa said her training as an EMT helped her get involved in and feel a part of the community after her family moved to Tampa from Missouri, where she had grown up.
"It was a true culture shock," she said. "I didn't feel connected to the community I was residing in."
She was an active member of the Tampa ambulance crew until her marriage in November 2005.
Her first run was in response to the Thayer family fire, in which several members lost their lives.
"Dealing with the trauma probably is the most challenging part," she said. "When arriving on scene, I do what I was trained to do, but there are times the trauma of the situation becomes overwhelming. These are the times when the support of the crew becomes vital.
"I am proud to serve on the same crew with my father, sister, and brother. It is a special bond we share. It also is great being part of a crew dedicated to providing patient care to individuals in need."
The 36-year-old school teacher has two children and lives with her husband in Warrensburg, Mo. She plans to take more call time while on weekend visits to Tampa.
As EMTs, the Brunners can work on any crew in Kansas.
EMT training
EMT classes include helicopter landing zone training, handling hazardous materials, drug education, and clinical experience (riding with an ambulance crew).
For the EMTI certification, 24 hours of hands-on experience are required in an emergency room, as well as 24 hours with a fire station crew. A course in defensive driving also is required.
State board exams include 60 minutes of hands-on situations and a 150-question written test. Each applicant has three attempts to pass the exam. If they fail, they have to repeat classes.
Recertification is required every two years along with continued training.
Jesse is the crew captain for the Tampa ambulance. Other primary members of the crew are Francie and Ron Mueller and Nathan. Others who help from time to time are Jeanne Rziha, R.N., Larry Cushenberry, Aminda Brunner, and Jim and Norma Horinek.
It is required that at least two crew members be available every day, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Tampa Ambulance serves a large area — north of 290th to the county line, east to Morris County, and west to McPherson County.
Jesse said he works diligently to keep up the service. He said if more people would volunteer to take the training, it would help ensure future continuous service. Scholarship money is available to pay for the classes. Interested individuals may contact him at 785-965-2637.
