PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- Emergency medical responders from across the state got together last week in Pierre for their annual conference.

Wayne Ames from Miller is the District 4 president for the South Dakota Emergency Medical Services Association. He says most of their members are volunteers.

Ames says there are varying levels of emergency medical responders.

Ames says funding and finding people willing to be volunteer responders are the two biggest challenges they have.

Conference chairman Kevin Heath with the Onida Volunteer Fire Department says attendees learn from the speakers and from each other.

Heath says the need for emergency medical responders is another reason we need to find ways to draw people in their 20s, 30s and 40s to small towns.

Heath has been an emergency responder for over 25 years and says it’s absolutely worth the time and energy.

Anyone interested in learning more about being an emergency medical responder can find a link to the South Dakota EMS Association in this story on the News page at www.drgnews.com.