Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the selfless efforts of the citizens of Otis, Kansas in their work to keep ambulance service available to their community.

       A little more than two months ago, this community's emergency medical service was in danger of closing due to a lack of emergency medical technicians. After more than 30 years, Otis and the surrounding area was looking at the unfortunate reality of having no local ambulance service. This loss could have been devastating to this community of 325 people. The response time for an ambulance run in Otis is five to eight minutes. Ambulance response time from the next closest community, which is 15 miles away, would have been a minimum of 20 minutes. In rural America, having access to local ambulance service can mean the difference between life and death.

       Fortunately, six individuals saw the effect this would have on their community and stepped forward to help. These individuals are taking EMT training and will volunteer their time to keep the Otis EMS alive.  After seeing the outpouring of support, two other former volunteers also agreed to return to the service. In addition, two new volunteers--a registered nurse and an EMT-- have made themselves available to go on ambulance runs when needed.

       Because of the following individuals, the Otis EMS will remain open:

       Bruce Adamson

       Mary Adamson

       Jerry Dirks

       Marsha Hinds

       Mike Sharkey

       Tara Stieben

       Mike Bahr

       Teri Bahr

       Mark Brack

       Candace Demory

       Margaret Gary

       Shane Konzem

       Shayla Koochel

       Virginia Landers

       Karen Maier

       Roger Mohr

       Robert Newton

       Eric Royer

       Everett Royer

       Ellen Schriner

       Kent Schriner

       James Sheldon

       Bruce Swob

       Mandy Urban

       Don Weide

       Thanks to their team effort, this close-knit community will continue to have that lifeline to the health care services they need. Everett Royer, a current EMS volunteer, noted, "It gives us a little bit of hope."

       All across the state of Kansas are stories just like this one. Of neighbors helping neighbors, not because they have to, but because they want to. Because it's the right thing to do. Their efforts deserve our support and recognition.

       Citizens throughout the First Congressional District of Kansas are working together to enhance the quality of life in their communities. Preservation of the Otis EMS is a success story that gives all of us in rural America "a little bit of hope."