BY MICHAEL ARMSTRONG

STAFF WRITER

Three Kachemak Emergency Service Area emergency medical technicians took third place in the 37th Annual State of Alaska EMT Skills Competition. 

KESA volunteer EMTs Kerbey Lyon, EMT I, Phillip Boyle, EMT III, and Joe Sallee, EMT III, participated in the competition at the State Emergency Medical Services Symposium in Anchorage, held Nov. 5-8.

“I feel fortunate to have volunteers like these within this department who are dedicated to providing top-notch emergency medical care to residents of our entire area,” said KESA Chief Bob Cicciarella.

He said this was the first time KESA entered the competition. The competition is made up of teams of EMTs from around Alaska who were judged on quality of care and technical skills during the treatment of patients with a simulated trauma event or medical emergency. 

“I am not surprised they scored in the top three,” Cicciarella said. “I have witnessed their performance in real-life medical emergencies where they do an excellent job, and I am proud to have them as responders.”

Four KESA volunteers attended the weeklong EMS Symposium Conference in Anchorage. Cicciarella said KESA went to the symposium as part of its ongoing effort to provide residents with the best emergency medical service possible. At the symposium, responders learned about advances in medical treatments and developments in emergency medical services.

“We are constantly training and looking for ways to do things better,” Cicciarella said.

KESA is currently training a class of 10 new EMTs. People interested in volunteering and being trained as an EMT can pick up an application at KESA Station 1 at McNeil Canyon, 53048 Ashwood Ave., or call 235-9811. 

KESA has more than 50 volunteers trained to respond to fire or medical emergencies and serves 4,500 residents in a 214-square-mile area on the lower Kenai Peninsula.