'As a volunteer squad it's a lot to ask,' Genoa in need of auction items for new ambulance

GENOA -- One emergency team in east-central Nebraska is working to update its capacities. 

"The children are always the worst calls," said EMT Ginny Johnson, who joined Genoa Rescue 30 years ago when Genoa was creating a new team because "I had four little boys on the farm and I wanted to know what to do should something happen."

Her job is not an easy one -- and on top of that, they have to keep their equipment up to state protocols. So, Captain Darren Nelson and the squad are looking for ways to raise money for the new equipment. 

BigIronGives is the platform they're using for an upcoming online auction, where 100% of profits from items will go to the team's new ambulance.  

They're already up to about 30 items, including a helicopter ride, jewelry, and furniture. Johnson would love to add a quilt to the auction, too. 

They need close to $80,000 to fill the inside of the ambulance, which itself costs around $200,000 to be "up to spec," Johnson said. 

"We need to make sure the ambulance is safe, there are new rollover standards, things like that for our safety as EMTS on the call," Johnson said. 

The ambulance should arrive in February, mostly covered by city and county COVID-19 relief funds. 

"As a volunteer squad it's a lot to ask but a lot of people have stepped up to that plate," Johnson said. 

Johnson said Genoa has been blessed with an influx of new volunteers in recent years, but is always looking for new faces. Darren Nelson, Genoa Rescue Captain, seconded that the biggest call is getting enough people on staff to always be able to answer calls. Right now, they're at 23 volunteers. 

Nelson joined about 15 years ago after his wife suggested they should help out the community more. 

"The ability to help people, help them get through injury or tough times or loss of family," Nelson said, makes it all worth it. 

Genoa Rescue is also hosting a meal and concert on July 30th with, they're hoping, a surprise guest and Dave Merkl performing. 

The town of Fullerton is also in need of updating and gaining a new ambulance.