According to Big Sandy's local Fire Chief Larry Ophus the local EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians) service "doesn't get the acknowledgement they deserve and are under appreciated". He says the fire department always has an opportunity to visit with everyone after their services have been provided, but the EMT personnel do their service and disappear. EMT's "provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and growing number of patients who access the emergency medical services system. EMT's have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients." The EMT program in the United States began in the early 1970's with the addition of a growing number of injuries associated with car accidents. Larry Ophus said the fire department on an average answers approximately 24 calls a year. Where the EMT respond on an average of 100 calls a year.

George Rice was the first EMT in the early 70's. There was a few after that, Randy Beaudette remembers Doug Braun was involved with that. In 1985 Randy Beaudette, Larry Ophus, Marlene Terry, and Wayne Turner took an EMT class. There is no real written history of the number of people who have served to give them the thanks due them, so thank you. When EMT's were asked how they deal with those difficult emergencies all those years, they answer, "You do your job."

Currently there are 11 volunteer EMTs; as of 2018 Amber Beaudette has served as a nurse on the ambulance for the first 11 years after that she has served as an EMT for 31 years. Randy Beaudette and Larry Ophus have served for 33 years, Maggie Cline and Donna Upham have served 31 years, Ken Denning and Melanie Schwarzbach have served for 18 years, Dusty Allderdice has served for two years, Tim Bahnmiller who was a First Responder for years became an EMT 4 years ago. Paula Amsbaugh, and Nathan Merrill are a part of the new class of EMT candidates have just received their certification. Jeremy Echols, Dennis Hale, Ashley Allderdice and Heather Pleninger are the remaining four that still need to take their written test before they are certified EMT's. They had training for 120-140 hours of class room instruction. After which there is a practical test, a skills test, and then a written test. This year there was a Johnny Cline Memorial which paid for the testing for the new recruits. Once you pass your written test you receive a two-year certification, but during those two years you must have a refresher course and 48 hours of continued education, which each EMT must pay for themselves. For every EMT they must have the continued education every two years.

When asked why they want to be an EMT the response is, "Because it is needed. We all can be part of community service, part of the solutions or we are part of the problem.

It is very satisfying." They have saved people's lives, but that doesn't take away from how important transportation is. For Nathan Merrill, the realization that he should be a part of the solution happened when Henry had his medical problems. Paula Amsbaugh while she was working at the clinic always had the idea that when she had time, this was something she could do to help. Jeremy Echols said, "because in a small community it's important. Also, with my job, I am on the scene before the ambulance is in some cases, so it's helpful to know what to do, and what not to do, before they arrive. For Heather Pleninger it's been kind of life changing learning process. It has given her a perspective on what's really important in life. "When an EMT has to provide lifesaving measures in a living room and there ends up with blood on a carpet, but the victim was able to live to see their first great grandchild. I can't go home and be angry because someone spilt coffee on my own carpet." She has also seen anxiety levels decrease and sense of calm come over the victims and their families. "People are so grateful for our service."

There are two ambulance. A 1998 one that is smaller and as only limited abilities. It also has less miles on it. They bought an ambulance in 2004 for $120,000. They're looking to replace that ambulance in the near future. Financially the Fire Department handles the budget necessary to run the ambulances, repair them, purchase new ones. When you need EMT services you are charged a fee for the use of the ambulance. The EMT's do their job for free. In order to purchase a new ambulance, they will depend on Chili feed donations. They do ask the Lippard Foundation and the Tordik Foundation for support as well.

At some point, we will all probably need an EMT. Those 911 calls come in any time of day or night and they always respond.