MJM Medical Direction Consortium Services

10/19/2026

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PERSEVERANCE, DEDICATION, AND A HEART FOR SERVICE! 🚑

Big accomplishments come from hard work, determination, and a willingness to keep pushing forward.

Today, we’re celebrating all three as our very own cadet, Lincoln, has officially PASSED HIS NATIONAL REGISTRY EXAM!

Lincoln’s journey is a reminder that the future of EMS is in good hands. Coming from a family of lifesavers, he is proudly following in their footsteps and carrying on a tradition of helping others, showing up when it matters most, and making a difference in the lives of those around him.

As a senior at GFW Public Schools, Lincoln is balancing school, extracurricular activities, and the commitment of being part of our cadet program. When he’s not honing the skills needed to serve our community, you can find him on the football field or out on the green at Winthrop Golf Course. 🏈⛳

Passing the National Registry exam is a huge milestone and a testament to the time, effort, and dedication Lincoln has put into reaching this goal. It’s one more step toward becoming the kind of EMT our community can count on, and we couldn’t be more excited to see where this journey takes him.

Congratulations, Lincoln! We are incredibly proud to have you as part of our service. Keep learning, keep challenging yourself, and keep that passion for helping others alive.

We can’t wait to watch you grow in your skills, gain experience, and continue building your future in EMS!

Help us show Lincoln some love and congratulate him on this incredible accomplishment! 👏🚑

The future of EMS is bright, and Lincoln is a big part of that future!

10/18/2026

10/10/2026

Kiester Ambulance Service
page: Kiester Ambulance (Give them a follow!)

The Kiester Ambulance Service, which formed in 1960, is staffed solely by volunteers and serves the Kiester and Walters areas and in the case of a fire will also go out. Mutual aid is also offered to our neighbors in north Iowa. The Kiester Ambulance serves approximately 78 square miles and extends all the way north to I-90.

Thirteen volunteers currently serve. Notably, Hope Bauman, Kiester’s mayor, is the longest-serving volunteer, with her service beginning in 1987.

Fiscal support by the community has been great and the ambulance has been able to keep all of their equipment current. They have a powercot, which cost approximately $70,000. They also have a Lucas which is an automated machine which performs chest compression. The Lucas will soon be aging out and will need to be replaced. They have applied for a grant to help cover the $22,000 piece of equipment. They also have a 12 lead heart monitor which cost approximately $50,000.

The biggest challenge the Kiester Ambulance faces is keeping it fully staffed with volunteers. There are several members currently serving who will be aging out. Even if no volunteers left, more volunteers are needed as more volunteers would lessen the load for the current volunteers.

Interested in volunteering?

You can be an EMR - emergency medical responder - or, a EMT - emergency medical technician. EMRs require fifty class and training hours. EMTs require 160 hours of classes and training. EMTs are needed for every call. EMRs are typically the driver during calls.

Why:
The reasons why residents have volunteers have signed up over the years, but many say that it’s about giving back and being part of the community.

One current volunteer signed up following a family member’s survival from a heart attack, which granted them five additional years of life.

Classes:
The required classes are mainly online and driving to the bulk of the classes is no longer a requirement. 100 online hours with 50 hands-on skills are learned in the classroom at Riverland in Austin and Albert Lea. Most classes are held in Austin. If enough volunteers signed up, classes could be taught here in Kiester as both Hope Bauman and Al Bauman are certified instructors who are currently teaching in Albert Lea for Riverland.

Typical Calls:
Most of the calls to the ambulance are for falls. Traumatic events are infrequent. The average call lasts two hours, with most rides going to Albert Lea, and less frequently to Blue Earth. Sometimes they drive to Albert Lea and are intercepted by Mayo for cardiac events. There is an average of 100 calls a year with five of those being traumas.

Benefits:
Students who become volunteers and serve are paid $10/hour for the EMR or EMT classes taken. Individuals also receive some PERA benefits.Resigned volunteers older than 50 with with one year or more of service may also apply for the Cooper/Sams Volunteer Ambulance Award Program which is funded from state seatbelt fines. Volunteers stress that the most meaningful benefit, however, is being to help their friends and neighbors.

Currently serving on the ambulance: Chris Adams, Al Bauman, Hope Bauman, Randi Krohnberg, Travis LaCore, Jon Seedorf, Erica Serena, Gary Skartland, Lisa Sunding, Doris Troll and Ron Wegner.

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, they welcome you to reach out. You can ask any volunteer. You can also send a message on Facebook to Kiester Ambulance.

(Picture, left to right: Hope Bauman, Al Bauman, Gary Skartland, Jon Seedorf , Doris Troll, Ron Wegner) Not pictured: Randi Krohnberg, Erica Serena, Travis LaCore, Chris Adams, Lisa Sunding.

10/09/2026

We remember EMT Marina Challeen, who died in the line of duty 9 years ago today. Marina’s family said she was a “champion of the underdog” who would help anyone who needed it. She will be remembered as a good person, who loved comic books and Star Trek.

“You cannot say goodbye to somebody like Marina,” the family said in a statement. “She was accepting of people for who they were, looked for the best in everybody and loved to share and celebrate that best. She had a love of helping and healing people and for listening. You cannot say goodbye to that, all we can do is extend it to each other.”

We honor and remember Marina. We mourn a life lost too young and vow to never forget.

10/03/2026

09/29/2026

Some video from last nights Lafayette training

09/29/2026

We had the opportunity last night to work with our friends at Lafayette Ambulance on some of their cardiac arrest management skills. Everyone had a turn to utilize their LUCAS device, place airways (basic and advanced), and just have an overall opportunity to refresh their procedure muscle memory.
We even had a blast from the past show up in the form of a King Airway found deep in the bottom of our training bag, so we got to demonstrate that little nugget from circa 2010.
Thank goodness we didn’t have a stray combi-tube laying around…think of the fun we could have had!
Well done folks, and thanks for having us in!!