By Bridget Reed, Reporter
On Sunday evening, November 16, from 5:30 to 7:00, the Montana Farmers Union provided the Far Out and Waiting presentation for approximately 50 members of the Big Flat community, teaching lessons on emergency medical training. According to the Montana Farmers Union website, “On average, rural communities have a 30+ minute wait for EMS to arrive.” Since this rural community lacks immediate access to healthcare, community members need to learn emergency response skills that could help them during this waiting period.
Preceding the seminar, the MFU and community members attending ate a lasagna dinner and dessert provided by the Big Flat 4-H Club. The costs of ingredients for the meal were covered by the MFU, allowing all free-will donations to support the 4-H club directly.
Service Director of the Blaine County Ambulance, Steve Leitner, and Blaine County Extension Agent, Julianne Snedigar, along with other local EMS crewmates, led the presentation. They covered skills including hands-on CPR, Stop the Bleed, and responses to diabetic emergencies, snake bites, burns, strokes, allergic reactions, bleeding control, and cardiac arrest. Each of these leaders expanded on these topics and added adapted information to fit the community’s needs. Additionally, Snedigar taught a lecture on pesticide education, granting participants a pesticide credit. At the conclusion of the night, each attendee received an MFU canvas tote and a complimentary tourniquet.
Mary Jenni, membership ambassador of the Central and Upper Eastern branch of the Montana Farmers Union, explained that the organization’s goal with this seminar is to “equip people with the skills and confidence needed to save a life.” She also noted that the MFU strives to “support rural communities” with these educational seminars, which require “bringing people together.”