Sunday, August 29, 2010 THE DALLAS POST Sweet Valley couple is ready, willing and able to Bob and Alice Walsh, both 77 years old, have been answering calls for years. & By EILEEN GODIN Dallas Post Correspondent At 77 years old, Bob and Alice Walsh, Sweet Valley EMTs, stand ready at a mo- ment’s notice to answer a 911 distress call. Bob Walsh has been a vol- unteer firefighter for about 53 years and is one of the found- ing members of the Sweet Valley Ambulance Associ- ation. His wife, Alice, has assisted as a dispatcher for 30 years and earned her Emergency Medical Technician license in the late 1970s. Today, the couple is eager to jump into one of two large ambulances and rush to the aid of those in need. The Sweet Valley Ambulance As- sociation answered almost 500 calls last year. “We went on most of them,” Bob said. With seven active members, the association depends on the Walshes, who are usually available during typical work- day hours when most other members are working. “We don’t usually answer alls after 9 p.m.,” Bob said, she has learned to block out a lot of the unpleasant images of the job. Emergencies in- volving children are still tough to bear. “We can talk about it to each other,” she said. But seeing people in the community well again is very rewarding for the two. Bob said in the past, the hospitals used to send an update on pa- tients taken there by ambu- lance. Due to stronger privacy laws, however, such notifica- tion has stopped so the cou- ple sometimes visits patients they’ve transported to see how they are healing. There are some joyful mo- ments, too, as Alice has helped with the delivery of a babies. Although the deliveries were not easy, she smiled at the thought. “I like to help people,” she said. “It is very rewarding.” The couple’s knowledge of the community, which has several dirt roads that wind through green fields and into wooded areas which could pose a challenge to EMTs and first responders unfamiliar with the area, is helpful in their work. Bob said 911 dis- patchers often seek him out due to his knowledge of the area’s roads. “I grew up here,” he said of the Sweet Valley area. “I even “| like to help people. It is very rewarding.” Alice Walsh Sweet Valley ambulance volunteer vancements have improved over the years and Bob ad- mitted that, in the early days, the ambulance was not as well equipped as it is today. He recalled a situation where two men were injured at Rickett’s Glen State Park. The leg bone of one of the men was protruding through the skin and a Boy Scout troop in the area made a splint from branches to brace the man’s leg. Another time, he recalled ripping up sheets to make bandages. Today, the couple keeps up with various training semi- nars held by hospitals and continuing education units at local colleges. Alice said they are required to earn 24 cred- its within three years to stay on top of new advancements. “You are always learning,” Alice said. New technology allows EMTs to perform their jobs better and the larger ambu- lance purchased by the Sweet Valley Ambulance Association offers extra room for a medic to work on a patient. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Alice and Robert Walsh, both in their late 70s, continue to serve as ambulance drivers and respon- ders with the Sweet Valley Fire and Ambulance Department. “unless the other members named many of the private “It is 20 miles to Wilkes- R (l b ° uy cannot respond.” roads for the 911 address Barre General Hospital from t dll Fall G If (] “It is easier for us because change.” here, 23 miles to Geisinger,” 0 aly u p ning 0 daSSIC we are here, close and re- Walsh served for two terms Bob said. “Sometimes, a med- tired,” Alice added. as a supervisor, 31 years as ic will be giving treatment on The 27th Annual Dallas Ro- played near a green or tee. tion lock-in programs, the Lu- Years of experience and the Sweet Valley fire chief, the way.” tary Club Fall Golf Classic to The format is a captain and zerne County Fall Fair, the Back working as a team help the helped with the development The ambulances are in- support Dallas Rotary Charities crew. Individualsareinvitedand Mountain Food Pantry and couple deal with the stress of of the ambulance association spected every three years to will be held at the Irem Country will be teamed up with othersin much more. responding to emergency sit- in 1968 and served as ambu- verify that equipment inside Club, Dallas on Monday, Sept. a group. Returning players and Call Kevin Smith at 696-5420 uations. Walsh said that his lance association chief for 25 and the vehicles are in opti- 20, with a shotgun start at 12:30. new players are welcome. for more information and an en- 17 months serving with the years. mal working condition, Bob Returning chairman Kevin Proceeds help the Rotary try form. Sponsors must re- Army in the Korean War “The ambulance associ- said. Smith and co-chair Kerry Free- Club of Dallas sponsor and con- spond by September 10 to allow taught him tactics in handling ation started by a donation of Looking forward to cele- man have indicated that the club tribute to the annual Christmas enough time for proper sign serious emergencies such as an ambulance from Bonson’s brating their 78 birthdays in is looking for hole sponsors and Shopping Spree for 45 Back printing. Players are urged to re- vehicle accidents, suicide or Funeral Service in 1968,” he December, the couple says players. Mountain children, the Dallas/ spond by September 10 to deter- shootings. said. “The funeral home is no their desire to help people The sponsorship donation is Lake-Lehman/Northwest mine how many will be in at- “It is a stressful job,” he longer in business.” keeps them going. $100 and the players’ entry feeis School Book Scholarships, the tendance at a seafood and steak said. ix rbh Aksey sus The couple agreed that “You have to keep moving,” $110. Each advertiser will re- Back Mountain Library, dictio- dinner following the tourna- Alice said over. the years technology and medical ad- Alice said. ceive a sign prominently dis- naries for third-graders, gradua- ment. It's Bacl TIME TO LEARN HOW EASY IT IS TO: o List your property with me. A e Find out how much your property is worth. oe Sell your property through Lewith & Freeman! LEWITH & FREEMAN Real Estate, Inc. V4 Barbara FE. Metcalf Associate Broker Fabulous find in desirable Kingston near Hamilton Park. 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