South Heartland District Health Department

South Heartland Board of Health recognizes 19 rural volunteer rescue squads

May 16, 2025

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Hastings, Neb – Nineteen rural volunteer rescue squads providing services in Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster Counties were chosen to receive Community Health Service Awards from the South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD). Each spring, South Heartland’s Board of Health recognizes and celebrates individuals and organizations who have contributed significantly to the public’s health.

This year the Board of Health recognized each of the rural rescue squads with a Community Health Service Award for their exemplary service and dedication to community health and for their dedication to protecting and caring for residents in their communities.

A luncheon and public health awards event scheduled for March 5 was cancelled due to blizzard conditions, so Board members and staff have been hitting the road over the past two months to bring the award presentation to each squad’s regular monthly meeting. The last presentations were completed on May 14.

About the decision to recognize rural volunteer rescue squads this year, SHDHD Board of Health president Sandra (Sam) Nejezchleb, cited the awards presentation: “Rural rescue squads face many challenges - including long distances to travel to respond to calls, difficulty recruiting and training volunteers resulting in workforce shortages, high fixed costs, and inadequate reimbursements. And yet, many of these dedicated individuals remain committed to their rural communities, caring for and protecting their neighbors, and providing critical local assistance and access to health care.”

SHDHD health director Michele Bever said during the coronavirus pandemic, what was already a difficult job became even more rigorous, intense and risky. “Most of us know about the overwhelmed healthcare system resources, but emergency medical system professionals selflessly and courageously performed their life-saving services, despite enormous hardship and danger.”

The following volunteer rural rescue squads are the recipients of South Heartland’s 2025 Community Health Service Awards:

     In Adams County: Hastings Rural, Holstein, Juniata, Kenesaw, Roseland

     In Clay County: Harvard, Clay Center, Edgar, Fairfield, Glenvil, Sutton, Trumbull

     In Nuckolls County: Lawrence, Nelson, Superior

     In Webster County: Bladen, Blue Hill, Guide Rock, Red Cloud

Bever emphasized the critical roles that rural rescue personnel play in providing access to healthcare for rural residents. “We extend our heartfelt ‘thank you!’ to all of the volunteer squads, for their daily sacrifices to be there for their communities, connecting residents to the care they need” she said.                                                                                                   

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