For many students, the Hesston College community is one that extends beyond the campus’ borders. That was the case for seven students who worked this academic year as volunteers with the City of Hesston Fire Department and Emergency Services.
Although their schedules were unpredictable with calls coming in at all hours of the day and night, on top of already busy academic and extracurricular schedules, they found the reasons to serve were much greater and valuable for their majors and future careers.
“I wanted to take the EMS class to get a head start for the nursing program,” said Beth Schurz (Phillipsburg, Kan.), a junior in the four-year nursing program. “But I also love to help people and the medical field.”
Jonathan Gonzalez (Goshen, Ind.), a 2016 graduate, joined the fire department party because of his major, Disaster Management, but also because he wanted to be part of something bigger than himself.
“I love challenges,” said Gonzalez. “Being a firefighter is one of the most rigorous and dangerous occupations out there. I love helping folks as well as being part of a family atmosphere.”
Freshman Zach Stauffer (Belleville, Pa.), who is also studying in the Disaster Management Program, likes the high-intensity situations.
“I wanted to become a firefighter because of the adrenaline rush it gives me and the feeling of satisfaction when a fire is out or a patient is being transported to a hospital quickly and efficiently,” he said.
Emergency events over the last few months, particularly, gave the students new perspective on the value of their service to the wider community.
Many of the student volunteers were among the first responders on the scene during the shooting at nearby Excel Industries. Just one month later, they helped battle a wildfire that burned more than 400,000 acres across Kansas and Oklahoma, coming within about 20 miles of Hesston.
Though the students didn’t anticipate the magnitude of two big events in quiet Hesston, their training and a commitment to serve the community helped each one do what was needed.
“The most rewarding aspect of this service is the satisfaction of knowing someone’s life could be saved, even if it means going into a potentially dangerous situation,” says Stauffer. “It’s a risk and reward job.”
“It has become clear how much showing up for any call means to the people we treat and even the community as a whole,” said Schurz.
Hesston College students who served as volunteer first responders with the City of Hesston Fire Department and Emergency Services during the 2015-16 year included (in photo) Beth Schurz (Phillipsburg, Kan.), Clay Axness (Glendale, Ariz.), Jared Wedel (Peabody, Kan.), Lane Schrock (Parnell, Iowa), Isaiah Crosby (Ponca City, Okla.), Jonathan Gonzalez (Goshen, Ind.) and Zach Stauffer (Belleville, Pa.).
by Abby Musser, Class of 2016