Want to be an EMT? Or learn more about what they do?

The Souhegan Valley Ambulance service is holding an open house and blood drive at the ambulance bay in New Ipswich next week, and will be sponsoring an EMT class at the end of June.

“I think there’s always a need for EMTs and firefighters,” said Souhegan Valley Ambulance Chief Darel Oja, who said the ambulance goes through peaks and valleys in its staffing. “It’s very time consuming and that gets the best of a lot of people, when they have to re-evaluate their priorities, as much as they might love it.”

Working as an EMT is possible for even those with a full-time job, said Oja. Souhegan Valley, which serves New Ipswich and Greenville, mans its station between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday and relies on on-call members during the overnight and weekends.

And while the job means an occasional sleepless night, it’s also vital to the community, said Oja.

“They can expect to help their community in their times of need,” said Oja. “When we get called out, most of the time, we’re seeing someone they know. And they’re not calling because they want someone, they’re calling because they need someone. And it’s nice to see a face they recognize.”

The ambulance currently has 13 EMTs and two non-EMT ambulance drivers, and is looking to bolster its ranks, said Oja. So while the open house is a good way to get community members in the door and let them ask questions, Oja is also hoping that it will spark interest in the EMT class SVAS is holding starting on June 27.

Though completing the class, which runs three days a week through Sept. 1, is not a guarantee that an EMT will be accepted onto Souhegan Valley Ambulance, the organization is currently looking for additional members, said Oja.

To meet members of the ambulance crew and tour the ambulance facility, attend the SVAS open house on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visitors will get to explore the ambulances, get free cotton candy and goodie bags, and get information about the EMT class and Medical Alert and Medical Bracelet systems. A blood drive will be held at the same time.

The class is scheduled to begin on June 27 and will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the ambulance bay at 435 Turnpike Road. The class costs $975 and includes the textbook. The class is scheduled to be done by September.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com.