This week is Emergency Medical Services Week across the United States as proclaimed by President Barack Obama. There are over 11,000 active paramedics and emergency medical technicians in Iowa according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. These trained volunteers are some of those who respond to car accidents, fires, and disasters to provide medical services all hours of the day.

EMTs, or emergency medical technicians, are volunteers across Washington County in the communities of Ainsworth, Brighton, Crawfordsville, Kalona, Washington and Wellman.