Public Outreach
Bill Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund
Bill Watson was Director and President of North Blanco County EMS from 1988 to 2003. Bill was a major cornerstone in the foundation of the EMS service that is today.
Shortly after Bill's death, NBCEMS created a scholarship fund which awards scholarships to LBJ High School graduates. Bill's widow, Joy Watson, and their children pick two candidates who receive the scholarships. The money for scholarships comes from memorial donations, from fundraisers, 10% of ESA bi-annual garage sales, and from in-kind donations from people like you.
NBCEMS raises money for the scholarship fund by setting up a booth at the Lights Spectacular Event, in Johnson City, during Christmas time. At the booth members sell food with all the proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund. If you attend any of the activities / functions or booths that are hosted/ manned by NBCEMS personnel, there is usually a huge glass jar that asks for donations for the scholarship fund. You may also make donations via PayPal if that is your preference.
Vial of Life Program
NBCEMS has participated in the Vial of Life program for many years. What is Vial of Life, you ask? The Vial of Life assists in complying pertinent patient information that may be needed during a medical emergency.
NBCEMS provides a spice jar with a blank form where a person can record their demographics, medications, medical history and allergies. Insurance information and next of kin may be included as well. The form is then placed in the jar and the jar is placed in your refrigerator. Two Vial of Life stickers are included – place one on the outside of the jar and the other on a window of the exterior door through which EMS will enter your house. EMS personnel who observe the Vial of Life sticker will know that there is pertinent information available in the refrigerator.
How do you get a Vial of Life? That’s easy: stop by our EMS station and ask for one. Vial of Life jars will also be stored in our ambulances. Get yours this week and fill it out! This helps NBCEMS personnel to help you.
Relay for Life
NBCEMS participates with the Blanco County Relay for Life Chapter. NBCEMS usually has two Relay teams that go by the names of Code Blue and Code Blue Jr.
Code Blue is the adult team while the Code Blue Jr. team is for the children of adults. The Code Blue teams have taken the teams with the Most Laps walked for the past four years in a row. The Code Blue teams have booths during the Relay which help raise money. In 2009, Code Blue sold food while the Code Blue Jr. team had a Playstation Guitar Hero contest. NBCEMS has a few fundraisers throughout the year where money is raised for the American Cancer Society. There is fun to had by all. If you would like to share in the camaraderie, we would love to have you join our team. Check out the photos in the photo gallery or by clicking on the link.
Sister Service in Costa Rica
For several years now, NBCEMS has been in communication with the Cruz Roja in Miramar, Costa Rica. The Cruz Roja (Red Cross) is the Costa Rican version of the Emergency Medical Services and not the Red Cross that you are familiar with. NBCEMS has been donating out dated supplies and equipment that is regulated, in the U. S., by expiration dates, to the Cruz Roja. No medications or fluids are sent due to the delay they would impose in Customs. The good thing is, what the Cruz Roja does not use, they distribute to the area nursing homes. I haven’t heard of anything that is wasted.
A good feeling is when NBCEMS donated a Lifepak 5 heart monitor, a few years back that helped the Cruz Roja shock a patient out of cardiac arrest. That is what it’s all about! As equipment is updated and supplies rotated, NBCEMS will continue to send the Cruz Roja what we can so that the Cruz Roja can keep doing what they are doing.