In 1986 Bigfork Volunteer Ambulance responded to 153 calls. Fast forward 20 years and you have nearly 5 times the call volume; 507.
“We are definitely steadily increasing our call volume,” says EMT Robin Sticka, trainig coordinator for BVA, “and unfortunately we are not increasing our membership to offset the demands placed on our organization.”
These steadily climbing numbers led to several changes currently in the works. BVA is trying to raise money for a new, larger building planned near the intersection of Highways 35 and 82. They also started hiring paramedics to cover daytime calls. They’re also looking for more volunteers to help handle the emergency needs of Bigfork’s growing population.
BVA responds to Condon, Creston, Echo Lake, Ferndale, Foothills, Lakeside, Swan Lake, Woods Bay, and Yellow Bay in addition to Bigfork. In 2006, they went to 110 Motor Vehicle accidents, about one-fifth of their total calls.
For more information: www.bigforkambulance.org.