GLENDO — After decades of dedicated service, three volunteer first responders have decided to retire from their roles. Robbie and Sandy Engling and Elizabeth Van Buskirk have been part of the local emergency response team in Glendo (and surrounding areas) and their services, dedication, and consistency will be sorely missed. Englings have been volunteering for 32 years, and Van Buskirk for twenty-six. 

Friends, family, and fellow volunteers gathered at the Glendo Fire Hall to say their goodbyes, express their thanks, and reminisce over refreshments, cookies, and other baked goods. 

According to Sandy Engling, she and husband Robbie Engling took first responder (also known as EMR; emergency medical responder) classes together 32 years ago. Her husband, Robbie, was an EMT (emergency medical technician) for about 15 years, and while he let that certification lapse, he remained a medical first responder until 2023. “Robbie was valuable,” said Sandy Engling. “He has a CDL and was able to drive big trucks and help when there were truck accidents, especially in the winter.”  

Van Buskirk started volunteering as an EMT-Basic 26 years ago. A few years after earning the EMT-Basic certification, she completed the EMT-Intermediate course in Casper and has been volunteering as EMT-Intermediate (one level below paramedic) ever since that time.  

The Glendo ambulance service operates as its own entity, with one ambulance; being separate from the Fire Department, even though members from both organizations work together, they are distinct from one another. “We have an amazing fire crew, but we are not one and the same,” said Van Buskirk. 

Fellow first responder Candy Geringer is excited about upcoming certification classes, as Glendo Fire & Rescue is looking for additional volunteers. Geringer took her first certification in 2010 and has been a volunteer EMR since then.  

“Anyone can become a first responder,” Geringer said. “As long as you take the certification classes.” Classes are predicted to begin and take place locally in February or March of 2024. “The class(es) will take place over a couple of weekends,” Geringer said. “Then in late summer we will have EMT classes, and if any EMR wants to carry over their certification and upgrade to EMT they can.” The fire hall in Glendo houses fire trucks, ambulances, and equipment necessary to respond to calls. “We have a great radio system, and an alert that goes to every volunteer’s phone,” Geringer added.  

A patient is never charged for EMS services as money for operations is donated through golf tournaments, live auctions, and other fund raisers; not to mention the generosity of individuals; and the emergency personnel are 100 percent comprised of volunteers. “We are so blessed. Glendo is the most generous community,” Geringer said. 

The certification of EMR is associated with EMS (emergency medical services) and is used to define the level of provider which falls below that of an EMT and a paramedic. A first responder is the first medically trained personnel who makes contact with a victim or patient. EMRs are trained to provide immediate life-saving intercession, while awaiting additional resources to arrive on scene. EMRs also assist high-level personnel not only on the scene but also during transport, making them a critical component of a comprehensive emergency response. Under medical supervision, EMRs can perform basic emergency intervention with limited or minimal equipment.  To become certified as EMR, the Wyoming Department of Health requires a minimum of 40 class hours.