Welcome back to Unmasking the Heart for Change, where we dive into real stories behind transformation, one, heart to heart at a time. I'm your host, Tammy Winstead, and I'm so thankful that you have tuned in with us today.
Today's episode uncovers the legacy of an organization that has quietly served our community for over five decades. The Blytheville Emergency Squad with a rich history, humble beginnings, and a mission rooted in volunteerism and compassion. They've responded to the moments in our community when others needed them most, but today, like so many community-based efforts, they face the challenge of dwindling volunteers and rising needs. Joining us to unmask the story behind the squad is Bryan Dunham, someone who has been deeply embedded in the squad's work and purpose. Get ready for a behind the scenes look at what they do, why they exist, and what it will take to ensure their service continues to serve our community.
Bryan, thank you so much for joining us today. Before we dive in, I'd love for you to take a moment and tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you became involved with the Blytheville Emergency Squad.
Well, it started, pretty much after high school in 1992 I joined. So I just love helping people. I've done it for several years. Then I took a little bit of break, then probably 10 years ago I got back into it. It's just an organization, like I said, 100% volunteer that, you know, helps people when they're in need. It's what I love to do.
And you've served on quite a bit. You've served fire, you've served police, you come with a long list of resume that qualifies you for this?
Yeah. Pretty much police, well, fire and rescue and EMS. I started in 92, so that's what, 33 years and police, I started in 95, so that's 30 years. So, and, and I've always done it. I may have, you know, of course you can look at me and tell, I like to eat. So I've had, I've had to get other jobs to make money, to pay bills and to eat. But other than that, in some form or fashion part-time or even, I've worked sometimes two full-time jobs, right? I've been involved in fire, EMS and rescue, so police,
That's amazing. Well, thank you for your service. You know, 50 years of service is absolutely no small feat. That kind of longevity speaks to a deep rooted commitment to something bigger than yourself, a squad dedicated to serving their community. So can you take us back to the beginning? How did the Blytheville Emergency Squad first start?
Well, that's gonna be hard since it started way before I joined. But from my understanding, there used to be groups. It actually started, the Blytheville Emergency Squad is part of the CB Radio Club.
Mm-hmm.
And it started back, I know the oldest member we have now, he's been on there 55, 56 years. Wow. And it started as, kind of like a, communications thing for disasters.
Mm-hmm.
Kind of like what ham radio operators do, but this was with cbs and they would have different competitions among the different clubs. Like they would have dressed competitions out in the hallway. We have one of the old members deceased, his little vest that he would wear. And then from there, you know just decided to start the emergency squad to help people. Like for the longest time, we were the only ones that would do auto extrication. Somebody got trapped in a car. We do river rescues. We do grain bin rescues, just search and rescues. Like if a duck hunter gets lost out at Big Lake, we'll go out there. We have two certified divers so we can, dive underneath the water for anything. We used to do some high angle rescue, but we really don't have anybody certified for that anymore, in which, you know, Blytheville and, Osceola the fire departments usually handle that anyway now. So, like I said in the beginning, it was something that's, you know, not a whole lot of people do, and they seen a need in the community to be able to do it.
So what was the original vision or mission of the squad when it was first formed?
Like I said, pretty much just to, to help people in need, like I said, started out, you know, 'cause originally before anybody else started it, ambulances actually had to carry, jaws of life to do auto extrications. And, you know, most of your trucks now have so much equipment, something that big to carry on their truck, which just wasn't
right?
feasible. So, the squad, like I said, you know, we have a big crash truck that has all that equipment in. And so that would take a load off the ambulances of having to
low
space carrying that equipment that, you know, probably maybe 98% of the calls they go on, they wouldn't need something like
Right. So how has the squad evolved over the years? It sounds like it's dwindling, but it's done a lot.
Yeah. It's, well, when I first joined in 92, we had probably 50 active members. At least. Wow. 'Cause we would have what they call a call outs, which would be everybody, the 50 members. And then we had a quick response group, which would be like 14 members. And you know, if a wreck comes up that had to be extrication, then that group would be called out to, to do it. Then the main group would be like, for
with searching
for missing kids or something like that. Then we would activate as many people as possible to. To try to help find them.
who calls you guys out? Is it when you call 9 1 1, do they. they responsible for that?
so generally what happens is they, you know, somebody would call 9 1 1 and either like the sheriff's department or police department, they would call our line, which automatically goes to, currently it comes to me, and then I would activate through a program we call, have fire texts and activate whatever members are available to respond.
So are there any defining moments in the squad's history that you can think truly represent what it's all about?
about? Mm, just about ev everyone that, you know, that we respond to that, that, you know, we saved a life or find a person. Like, I guess about two years ago we responded out to Armor Rail for a missing child. And we actually ended up finding him several miles away from his house. Oh
Oh wow.
Because I think he lived Birchwood area somewhere and we ended up finding him there, by the high school. Wow. So, he had two or three diff different stories of what happened. But I mean, luckily he was found safe and, and nothing happened to him 'cause he was 10, 12, something like that. Not very old.
Yes. So what has kept the heart of the squad beating strong for all these years?
The biggest thing is some of the main volunteers, like Mike Godsey, he was, I mean, he was the glue that held it together and, you know, and he passed away last year and that's took a big in, big impact on us. Like I said, because it's, he was the glue that held it all together, and I've tried stepping up and, and doing that, but it's hard. Yeah. Like I said, the biggest thing is, is the volunteers, you know, they, which, you know, every organization across the whole world is having the same issue. Volunteer, you know, people just don't wanna volunteer. And it's been since COVID, you know, nobody wants to volunteer anymore, so that, that puts a big hurt on most of these organizations.
so most people see the squad show up during emergencies, but rarely do they get to understand the heart behind what that work really involves. What exactly does the emergency squad do on a daily or even a weekly basis?
daily? We're just on standby. Like I said, if we get call, if we get called for, our biggest thing that we do nowadays is, backup for payford. If they get status zero on all their ambulances, we actually have two that are capable of taking calls as long as I have people to staff 'em. Like I said, that's one of the biggest things is staffing. And, so we can go out and do that weekly. We come out every Thursday night and check all the equipment, make sure it runs and everything. Just waiting for a call for somebody to need us.
So what type of training is required to serve on the squad? And what type of volunteers are you in need of right now?
Anybody. We'll, we'll take anybody who's able to help. The biggest thing is on our ambulances, if to, if even if you just drive, you have to be CPR certified. I mean, I would love to have more EMTs to help take the load, but you know. We won't take any volunteers. We really gonna start getting into doing some more training. Like I had gotta get with Game and Fish to come sit up. 'cause we have so many newer members that's never really operated boats. And so Game and Fish will come out and actually do a voting class for us. Then me and another member, we're certified to where we can teach the emergency medical responder class. And so we're gonna try to put everybody through that. And it's just the basis. And then I've been working on paying for one member a year to actually go through EMT School to help us out. So it's a little bit of an incentive to try to get volunteers and the help that we also need.
and so it sounds like just because they may not be certified at this point or trained, that's something that can be established. You just need basically bodies and honestly, I mean, most of our community is steel mill workers and stuff like that, so having these extra certifications helps your employee as well.
Right. And, and Nucor's been putting a lot of their people through, so, you know, especially the ones that work for on four off. If they could help their days off, that would be wonderful. 'Cause like I said, currently with the schedule that me and my wife work, I mean, we're both working at the same time. So if we get a call while we're at work, you know, then it's, we may or may not have somebody at that time that can take a call for us. So
So what do you think motivates the volunteers to keep showing up? Even when the work is hard or the reg recognition is minimal,
Just their heart and wanting to help people. Like I said, I've been doing it for 33 years and I actually left a steel mill job making six figures to come back to, working a mess full time because I just, I love helping people.
Right.
right. It's kind of in your DNA, it's who you are. What do you wish the general public better understood about what the squad's work is?
Just a little bit of everything, you know, knowing that we are here to help the public. You know, we're out at pretty much every city function. The fishing rodeo, the springtime on our, excuse me, Mayfest, the chili Cookoff, the fairs, you know, that's, I mean, favorite football game. So it's, you know, we're just here to help the community.
Yeah.
So over five decades, I imagine you've witnessed a lot, both heartbreaking and heroic. Let's pause for a moment and give honor to the good that's been done. What are some of the most impactful things Emergency Squad has accomplished over the years?
Really, it's, I mean, that one thing stands out to me. 'cause like I said, you know, it's usually when we get called it's somebody's, worst point in their life. So, you know, it's, we try to, try to teach every incident as the same. Right. You know? 'cause I know if it's my worst day, you know, I want Right. The best help, you know, the most compassionate, caring person, you know, that we can have to be there. So
I've been talking to a lot of nonprofits right now, and one of the things that came up is they, they need women to step up because a lot of times when they go to wrecks or whatever, they're kids, and a male can be intimidating, but a female comes in. Kind of helps ease, takes that motherly role. You know, no offense to the men out there, but they just, there's a lack, obviously in all, volunteerism, but especially women in helping serve in these positions. And like we've already said, don't let it be that you don't know be what stops you. Because they can get you the know, right. They can get you the training. And
just like with my wife, you know, when I first came back, it was several years before she came and, we talked her into being the secretary for the club. And then, her and a friend of ours, Chad Lovell, they both went to EMT School and they were just doing it for the squad. Well then, you know, I got her to. To leave her job. That where she was at for 20 something years to come be my partner on the ambulance at Payford. And you know, she loves it. You know, it's 'cause I mean, you're helping people,
Right.
right? Yeah. And so she's real good with kids. Me, not so much, but yeah.
So how do you measure success within the squad?
Just everybody coming home. I mean, have some incidences that's that. Can be dangerous to even the responders, car wrecks. You never know if the car's gonna catch on fire blow up or anything like that. So just the, everybody coming home safe, even the people we respond to, and our members, if they come home safe and I think it was mission accomplished.
Right.
I know one of the biggest concerns right now is the decline in volunteering numbers, A challenge that so many of service-based organizations are facing. We've discussed that. So how have volunteer numbers changed over the last few years? You said post COVID, like what were they before COVID?
Not as good as they were when I fi first joined, but we would be probably in the thirties, 35, and now it's dropped to the mid to low twenties. And that's still not, active members. We probably only have. 10 that actually step up and, you can count on like, we had a cleanup day yesterday and there was three of us that showed up. Right. I don't know how you fix that,
Right. And you know when something happens, I recognize you guys as red shirts and I noticed when the paper posted about the, recently with the stuff at the pond, it was you guys out there serving, helping get the pond turned over for the fish. Like you guys serve in so many different areas that
Yeah. Just about. And you know, if we get a call, the more likely we're gonna respond. You know, I've never known anybody to tell anybody. No. Mm-hmm.
And it's the service that you guys provide to both fire, to police, to back up for ER like that is just, it's scary to think that could go away when it's been in our community for so long. So what are the reasons people you feel like people are stepping or hesitating to join?
I really don't know. I mean, it's, like I said, I don't know if people are tired or just. People's heart are not the same as they was years ago. And you know, they don't, I don't know if they don't care about, you know, their fellow humans or what it is, but it is just, I mean, it is sad, you know? 'Cause I know several organizations that are, you know, well if you look at, which I think it was more politics, but, Greene County Rescue. They just closed their doors after being there for 30, 40, 50 years. Wow. And you know, they, from my understanding, they had volunteers and it just, it ended up being political, but you know, they ended up shutting their doors. So that's a lot of services, that aren't gonna be provided.
is there a minimum age? 'cause I know that now we have a volunteer requirement to graduate throughout the state. So is there a minimum age that you can be?
So we usually, not really, it depends on, like we have associate members.
and
They pretty much have to be under, supervision. Mm-hmm. Like we have a couple members that are, kids are here all the time. Then we had another, which he's 18 now, so that doesn't, he's not associated anymore. But before he did that, he would come out, he would help. You know, we just have to be a certain age before you can actually drive one of the vehicles or something, or operate some of the equipment. But could still serve in other
capacities.
I was thinking for the young people that are coming, wanting to go into one of these fields, fire, police, rescue or something like that, or medical, this would be a good stepping stone and great on that resume for scholarships, for opening doors, making those connections early on. If you go in with those certifications that you already got before you graduated high school, that'd be pretty, well.
And the good thing about it is, with the state of Arkansas, you know, somebody 16 can get their EMT license. 'Cause I know a person, they worked for another service, around Little Rock. They were 16 when they got their EMT 17, when they got their advanced EMT and at 18 got their paramedic. Wow. And you know, depending on what service you work for, you know , paramedics can make six figures. Yeah. You know, and it's only a year of school.
So, and that's stepping into jobs. Exact, that's what I'm hearing. You are stepping into jobs out of high school, good paying jobs out of high school that are needed
correct? Yeah. Oh yeah. There's, there's a shortage. I mean, there's a shortage everywhere. Just like with Pafford, if you wanted to work extra, there's nobody gonna tell you no, because we can always use people.
Right. So what would happen to the squad in the community if the numbers continue to drop?
well. Sadly, I mean, it would, it would shut down. Like I said, right now, our ambulances can't pull out unless there's a provider. And luckily with our license, like I said, the person driving only has to have CPR. The person in the back has to be an EMT Advanced, EMT, paramedic RN or a doctor. We have a couple of the nurses from the hospital, you know, they've stepped up and have joined and have taken some calls. So if if somebody with one of those classifications isn't willing to step up, then you know, we can't run the ambulance. So, and over the years, like I said, you know, in the beginning we were the only ones that done extrication. Well, Blytheville's Got it. Osecol a's got it. Manila's. Got it. So our calls for that, unless it's a, you know, multi-vehicle Our calls for that have pretty much vanished. 'cause I think in the last three years we've gotten one extrication calls. So, most of our equipment like that is gathering dust because, you know, the, everybody's picking it up.
Then, like I said, we were the only one in the county to do water rescue. Well, the sheriff's department's gotten a boat and now, Osceola fire department's gotten a boat. Mm-hmm. So, you know, that's, that's dwindling down now too. So our biggest thing right now is, you know, the, the search and rescue, for missing people and ambulance runs. Right. And I just hearing you speak it, you hate to have the call you. It's not what you want that to be there, Whenever you are in need of the call. Right. And if volunteers don't step up, you're at risk of yet another service in our community.
team
Going away and it's something that's gonna hurt our police, our fire, it's gonna hurt our ambulance, it's gonna hurt all of us. You cause they, the demand's gonna just shift to them and they're already, like we said, they're already stretched. So it's great that they're stepping up to serve in these other rescues.
But you know, it, it is like, you know, Payford runs six ambulances in the county, right? Well, actually more than since they bought out that other service. But you know, there's been times since they've been status zero and we've had to take two or three calls. Wow. Well, you know, if we're not here to take those calls, you know, the, our biggest problem in this area is our hospitals. They just don't have the services they used to have. So, transfers are going out and, you know, it's at least two hours on a transfer. Mm-hmm. If they go to Little Rock, that's seven hours that ambulance is tied up. And, you know, we had one doctor one night done 17 transfers in 24 hours and six trucks doing that. There was, you know, so what hurts is when it goes time to, you know, let's say somebody's. Over by Walmart having chest pain and there's no, no ambulance to respond, or it's an hour before one gets back to respond. You know that that hurts the community. Mm-hmm.
Like you say, you'd hope you never need it, but you definitely want it to be there when that call made you do
Right. So
so we often see the blah emergency squad out in the community, whether it's, like we said, working at the football games, being present at the fair on Main Street, helping with the projects at the Walker Park cleanup. What are some of the other ways you and your team show up and contribute to local events and initiatives contribute?
Well, you just about covered all of 'em in that one statement. Like I said, anytime somebody calls for us, like the back of the school Bash the, splash on Main, you know, main Street asks us to come out to everything. The schools ask us to come out to everything. And like I said, you know, we've never said no. I mean, we may not be able to take an ambulance because we don't have a provider, but we will have somebody there. Whether it's just somebody who can do first aid, you know, we will have somebody there. I've never told anybody. No. And I'm hoping I never have to, but, you know. We, need volunteers.
Been sitting in the stands when my daughter's boyfriend was on the field and his knee, and you guys, they immediately took him. Y'all rushing from the field, straight into the ambulance, straight to the, and having that sitting there is important. It's essential to our community response time is everything in some situations anyway. So before we end, I wanna ask you this, what services, what departments do you currently have right now that you guys operate in? Like extraction, all those things. What do you have and for people to get involved in volunteering.
So, like I said, we have, we can do auto extrication, grain bin rescues that take some specialty equipment. And there's only, I think two or three other, departments in the county that have the equipment to do it. River rescue, like I said, just search and rescue, finding somebody you know that's lost. The diving, like I said, we only have two people certified currently to, and if it's much deeper than most of our ponds and lakes and stuff around here, then I'm in trouble. 'cause I'm not certified to go much deeper than that. But, I sure don't wanna go in the river 'cause that's horrible.
Right.
right.
And I mean that's about it. I'm sure I'm missing something, but
EMT paramedics, you said you could use RNs and like you said, even if you're interested in serving in a future. So all those younger kids, the youth out there, if you're interested in serving in one of these careers later on in life, this is the high, fast, high track pathway. Straight into that.
Oh yeah. Like I said, and if it's somebody that's gonna be dedicated and you know, we'll, we will. Help you know, get the certification, you know, like I said, EMTs, depending on where you go, they can make anywhere between 50 to, to 75,000 a year. Wow. And for a job that only takes a semester to get the certification, I mean, that's pretty good money. Right. And then, like I said, paramedic, is six figures,
Right? And you think about, you know, some of these kids that are required to do these service hours. Now you get these service hours and you're training and you're walking from high school straight into a career. That's pretty impressive. You don't have to. To burden yourself with a bunch of debt to get there. You could do it right now. You could,
Then from paramedic, they have a bridge program that's two years and you can get your RN. Yeah, so I mean, it's, you can fast track and actually help your community and save money by doing it.
Right. And I just feel like the intrinsic reward of helping someone in that dire need, you know, I, feel like it's unmatched. It's gotta be unmatched to knowing that you helped save a life because you're responding. I can't imagine what that would even feel like. And the gratitude,
know, the biggest thing is like we've transported some kids somewhere one time and we go to Walmart and the little girl comes running up to me and my wife and hugging us, thinking us and everything. And, and so, you know, it's. That's,
yeah.
you know, it makes you warm and fuzzy all over. So, yeah.
You know, you're serving, you're literally serving your community. So as we end, there's always one question I love to ask each of our inspiring change makers who share their heart with us. Can you share a moment when a small act of kindness, either something you gave or, or received, left a lasting impact on you.
I guess it would have to be the, like the incident I told you, with the little girl. 'cause the service I worked for full time just took over another community and, we responded and the lady was in pretty bad shape. And, the next day I seen her son and I was like, okay, well, was like, well, do you know me?
He is like, yeah. He said, you know where she's at? And I was like, okay. They transferred her somewhere else? No, she's back there working. And I was like, what? And she come out and he said, yeah. So he went and got her and she'd come out and she come up and hugged me and thank me and everything. And, and I mean, she, I'm surprised she was back at work that quick because she was in pretty bad shape. So, you know, just, just seeing people and them, you know, 'cause. Sometimes you run into people that you help and they don't recognize you. Right? Uh, and then, you know, like I said, that was a point in her life and I had to talk her into going to the hospital 'cause she didn't wanna go to the hospital. But it, it was very serious. And so just to see that, you know, people remembered you and actually appreciate what you've done for 'em. 'cause that's the biggest thing with the world today is people don't appreciate stuff like that. And we gotta change the hearts, right? You expect
it to be there, you want it to be there. You hope it's gonna be there, but if we don't step up, it won't be there. Correct.
Correct?
So to our listeners, here's something to reflect on this week. When was the last time you showed up for someone? Simply because you could, whether it's through volunteering a phone call or just being present.
Your presence may be the lifeline someone needs. Bryan, thank you so much for unmasking your story in the heart of this mission. Here at Unmasking The Heart for Change. We believe that every guest who shares our story with us leaves a lasting imprint, not just on our platform, but on every soul who listens.
As a small token of our gratitude, we wanna give you a piece of our heart. Give you something to remind you that your story matters and your impact is real. So I created a little gift for you and I think you'll like that key chain. The saying on it, I feel like fits you well because I know you personally, so inside the bag.
So, Bryan, thank you again for being with us today and for your dedication to answering the call when others need help Most. The legacy of the Blytheville emergency squad is absolutely powerful and we honor the work that had been done for so many years, often behind the scenes and without heroic applause, but with humility and heart. So you can follow Bryan in the squad by connecting on to, the Blytheville emergency squad on Facebook. We'll link there, Facebook page in the show notes.
These stories exist because people fill out our guest forms. So do you or someone you know have a powerful story of change to share? You know, I wanna hear from you and un mask it. You can apply to be a guest by visiting our Facebook page or clicking the link in the show notes.
We'll link that as well. Don't forget to subscribe. Share the episode with friends and leave a review that helps us spread the word about the strong programs going on in our community for so many years. And as always, remember, change begins within and it starts one heart to heart at a time.
Thank you so much for listening, guys, and we'll see you next time. Bye.