FORT SMITH – Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus students studying paramedic/emergency medical services will now be able to practice emergency scenarios with a real ambulance thanks to Fort Smith EMS.
The 2009 E-450 ambulance donation is valued at around $15,000 compared to the $180,000 cost of a new ambulance.
“We decided to donate the ambulance to Arkansas Tech-Ozark because we think that it will be a good partnership with ATU and we are very interested in the paramedic program there,” said Tim W. Hearn, executive director of Fort Smith EMS. “We draw from that program for new paramedics. After speaking with Josh Freeman, the director of Paramedic/Emergency Services, and Bruce Sikes, the Chancellor, we saw a need and thought it would be a good fit.”
Arkansas Tech-Ozark already houses an ambulance simulator built into the paramedic simulation lab in the new Health Sciences and Wellness Building but this will be the first ambulance students will be able to drive. The ambulance will assist in practicing loading and unloading patients and will help students gain experience riding and working in an ambulance.
“We value the service of Fort Smith EMS to our students and community,” said Bruce Sikes, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus, “And we appreciate Tim Hearn’s leadership as it relates to educating future EMTs and paramedics.”
Fort Smith EMS is no stranger to community service. The 501c3 non-profit is involved in several community programs including several schools in the area, the Arkansas EMT Association, the Arkansas Ambulance Association, Reynolds Cancer Support House, Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, Infant & Child Death Review Committee, Leadership Fort Smith and more. The organization also volunteers at several community events and several employees mentor students all year.
The organization has also received various awards for their service to the community not limited to the following list:
- 2010 Advanced Life Support Service of the Year, Arkansas Ambulance Association
- 2011 Norma Schaffer Partner of the year, Fort Smith Schools
- 2011 State of Arkansas, Senate Citation for Excellence.
- 2012 APCO National Horizon award
- 2012 City of Fort Smith, Mayor’s award “Tim Hearn Day”
- 2012 Arkansas PTA Association Children’s Champion Award
- 2012 National EMT Association, EMS Executive of the Year
- 2013 Department of Defense, National Guard, Patriotic Employer Award
- 2014 APCO National Technology Leadership Award
- 2016 Bud Jackson Teamwork Award, Fort Smith Schools, Partners In Education
- 2016 American Heart Association, Mission Lifeline Silver award
Hearn stressed that giving back to your community is one of the most important things you can do.
“It is your responsibility as a person to be involved in the community,” he said. “You live here, you should be involved in your own community. You should be a part of helping that community grow. If you are not, you are making a mistake. Everything we do comes back to us in a good way. No one can tell me that if you don’t give, you don’t get back.”
