Southwest Utah Health Podcast

VOLUNTEER LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES: CERT

HEALTH Magazine, Winter 2025
Published by the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation

This podcast episode is an AI-generated narration of the HEALTH Magazine article.

The full article text is provided below as the official transcript of this episode.

VOLUNTEER! LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) by Terry Meissner, Iron County CERT Coordinator

Narrated by David Heaton using AI-assisted voice.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program empowers community members to take action in the critical period immediately after a disaster. CERT-trained individuals can provide essential support when emergency responders are delayed or resources are stretched thin. As large-scale disasters highlighted the urgent need for trained civilians, CERT expanded into a national program in 1993 that now has more than 600,000 trained participants nationwide.

Utah’s CERT teams

are sponsored by state and county emergency management agencies. CERT training covers essential skills for disaster response, including:

First Aid: Basic life-saving skills and injury management.

Incident Command System (ICS): Understanding roles and structure in emergency response.

Light Search & Rescue: Locating and assisting those in need in hazardous situations.

Emergency Communications: Effective communication techniques during a crisis.

Additional skills to build resilience and readiness in the face of emergencies.

To find a cert training near you, visit tinyurl.com/FindC ERT

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER

HEALTH Magazine, Winter 2025
Published by the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation

This podcast episode is an AI-generated narration of the HEALTH Magazine article.

The full article text is provided below as the official transcript of this episode.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES, Volunteer Fire Fighter

by Robert Hardy, Fire Chief for Pine Valley Fire Department, Narrated by David Heaton using AI-assisted voice.

I came to firefighting rather late in life after working as a pharmacist for many years. I had heard about a volunteer fire department in Pine Valley where our family had purchased a cabin. As I approached retirement, I spoke to the fire chief about getting involved. Feeling for a pulse on my arm, he told me that I was qualified. As I started to attend the training meetings, it felt like entering a foreign world with a whole new language that I had to learn. The other members of the department were very kind to me and helped me quickly learn what I needed to do and how to do it safely. That was eight years ago; now I’m the fire chief!

I’ve learned that a well-functioning volunteer fire department needs people to fill different roles; not everyone needs to be able to spray water from a fire hose. And while having a pulse is helpful, the most important qualifier is being good-hearted. The most common reason our members are in the department is that they want to serve the community, and they contribute as firefighters, emergency medical technicians, scene support personnel, communication specialists, logistics personnel, drone pilots, clerical staff, mental health liaison, grant writing specialists, training specialists, equipment maintenance, station support and maintenance, safety specialists, and supply management.

If a person is willing to serve, we’ll find a place for them. Many of us are retired professionals from many walks of life, men and women with knowledge and skills that match the needs of the fire department. I would encourage anyone who is interested to reach out to their local fire chief and see what volunteer opportunities are available.

VOLUNTEER LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)

HEALTH Magazine, Winter 2025
Published by the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation

This podcast episode is an AI-generated narration of the HEALTH Magazine article.

The full article text is provided below as the official transcript of this episode.

Volunteer Local Opportunities by Tammy Barton, Garfield County EMS Director

Narrated by Tina Hicks using AI-assisted voice

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a system that responds to medical and traumatic emergencies with highly-skilled Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). They assess patients, provide treatment, and transport them to medical facilities for further care if needed. There are also Advanced EMTs and Paramedics, with each level building on the knowledge and skills of the previous one.

Besides the obvious role of taking care of those in a medical emergency or crisis, EMTs are often involved in educating the public in personal safety, CPR and AED training, first aid, and Stop the Bleed courses. EMTs are sometimes the first to recognize problems in a household or neighborhood, such as substance abuse, domestic violence, or lack of safe housing, enabling them to consult with partner agencies on new or worsening issues.

EMS agencies in Utah can be staffed with full-time career EMTs, firefighter EMTs, and/or volunteer EMTs who have other jobs and respond when they are available, depending on the needs of the population served.

Although not everyone is cut out for EMS work, being an EMT can be challenging and fulfilling, and they are always needed. All EMTs in the state go through the same training and testing, which is offered through many EMS agencies, colleges, universities, and tech schools.

I have been involved in EMS for nearly 33 years as an EMT, Instructor, training officer, and Director. I have seen a lot of growth and change in the field over the years, but one thing remains the same: the caring and dedication of those who work and volunteer as trained EMTs. If you think you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you!

Scary Diseases: Tracking Pathogens in Southwest Utah

Spring 2025 HEALTH Magazine Article
A publication of the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation.

This episode is a narrated (AI-assisted voice) version of the article. The text serves as the transcript: read the full article on our website.

One Step at a Time: Starting Your Exercise Journey

Spring 2025 HEALTH Magazine Article
A publication of the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation.

This episode is a narrated (AI-assisted voice) version of the article. The text serves as the transcript: read the full article on our website.

Mommy Stories: Maternal Mental Health & Postpartum Depression

Spring 2025 HEALTH Magazine Article
A publication of the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation.

This episode is a narrated (AI-assisted voice) version of the article. The text serves as the transcript: read the full article on our website.

Who Let The Dogs In? Service Animal Regulations

Spring 2025 HEALTH Magazine Article
A publication of the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation.

This episode is a narrated (AI-assisted voice) version of the article. The text serves as the transcript: read the full article on our website.

Who You Gonna Call? Environmental Health

Spring 2025 HEALTH Magazine Article
A publication of the Southwest Utah Public Health Foundation.

This episode is a narrated (AI-assisted voice) version of the article. The text serves as the transcript: read the full article on our website.