Spink County Ambulance Service

10/27/2026

Early CPR and quick access to an AED can mean the difference between life and death. Knowing where the AEDs are located in your town is extremely important.

Great job guys!

Right Place, Right Time. A Life Saved.

On August 20, 2026, Watertown Fire Rescue firefighters/paramedics Lt. Andrew Sebek, FAO Zach Ordal, and FF Blaine Marlow II were enjoying an off-duty round of golf at Lee Park Golf Course in Aberdeen when they encountered a man in cardiac arrest. They immediately jumped into action, performing CPR and using an AED to help save his life. That man was Doug Swanson, who has since undergone cardiac surgery and recovered.

Recently, Doug stopped by the fire station to reunite with the three firefighters. During their visit, they reflected on how everything seemed to align that day. After making several stops on their way to the course, the firefighters ended up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

Doug’s story is also a powerful reminder of why publicly accessible AEDs matter. Early CPR and quick access to an AED can mean the difference between life and death. Community AED programs truly save lives.

A special thank you to Aberdeen Fire Rescue and the bystanders who assisted. It was a team effort, and every helping hand mattered!

10/26/2026

We know what you might be thinking:

“Spink County Ambulance just did an EMT class less than a year ago, why are they doing another one so soon?”

“Spink County has a lot of volunteers on their service why do they need more people to be EMTs?”

The average age in South Dakota for EMS providers is between 52-56 years old

The truth is we don’t do these classes just for us.

We do these classes for our surrounding communities. So no one feels helpless in an emergency that they come across.

We do these classes so when you call 911 you don’t have to worry about if/when an ambulance will arrive.

We do these classes to get the next generation interested in answering the call, so if they leave our community they can continue to serve patients.

Emergency medical services in South Dakota and nationwide are at a crossroads. The financial model that has sustained the industry for half a century is crumbling under increased costs and a limited workforce, and lawmakers are working to find solutions.

Now is the perfect time to help out your community and become an EMT!

Informational meeting has been set for November 4th at 6:00 pm at the EMS center.

For more information or to reserve your spot for the meeting you can directly message our page and we will get back to you with more details! Or you can email Jessica Muellenberg ([email protected])

10/22/2026

🚨 FLASHING LIGHTS MEAN MOVE RIGHT! 🚨

The Spink County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind ALL motorists that when an emergency vehicle approaches with its emergency lights or siren activated, you are required by South Dakota law to pull over and stop!

🚗 Cars
🚛 Semi-trucks
🚜 Other large vehicles

YES, THIS INCLUDES SEMIS AND OTHER COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT!!

We understand that larger vehicles require additional time and space to safely pull over. However, every driver has a responsibility to remain alert and yield to emergency responders.

Under SDCL 32-31-6, drivers must move as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the roadway, clear of intersections, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.

⚖️ Failure to comply is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

When deputies, firefighters, and ambulance crews are responding to an emergency, SECONDS MATTER. Those few seconds could mean the difference between life and death.

🚨 See the lights. Move to the right. Come to a stop. 🚨

10/21/2026

Don’t forget about the flu shot clinic today from 7am-6pm at the building!

Join us at the EMS Center on October 21st from 7am - 6pm to obtain your flu shot! Photo ID and Insurance Cards are Needed.

10/15/2026

🚒🚔🚑 October is First Responders' Appreciation Month in South Dakota!

Governor Larry Rhoden has officially proclaimed October 2026 as First Responders' Appreciation Month - and we couldn't be more proud!

To every firefighter, law enforcement officer, EMT, paramedic, and 911 dispatcher serving our great state - THANK YOU.
You show up in our darkest moments, often as volunteers, with no expectation of reward. You are everyday heroes, and South Dakota is grateful for every single one of you. 💙

To celebrate, SouthDakotaSafetyDays.com is organizing a special event on October 9th and 10th, 2026 -come out and show your support for the heroes who protect us every single day! 🎉

Share this post and tag a first responder who deserves to feel appreciated today! ⭐

10/13/2026

🚨🚨EMT Class Coming This Fall 🚨🚨

Redfield will be hosting an EMT class in Redfield sponsored by the Spink County Ambulance starting the week of November 15th with the cost of class being $500.00.

Informational meeting has been set for November 4th at 6:00pm at the EMS center. At this meeting students will also receive books.

If you are unable to make the meeting please let us know! Zoom link is available for out of town potential students.

For more information or to reserve your spot for the meeting you can directly message our page and we will get back to you with more details! Or you can email Jessica Muellenberg ([email protected])

Stay tuned to our page for future details!

Now is the perfect time to help out your community and become an EMT!

10/08/2026

Don’t forget about the flu shot clinic on October 21st from 7am-6pm at the EMS building.

We are very lucky to have a member of our service also be a child care advocate!

This will be a great resource for our community during the flu shot clinic. If you have children who are nervous to get their flu shot, stop by the building on the 21st between 3-6 to let us help make the experience a little easier!

Embrace Behavior Services will be at the Community Wide Flu Shot Clinic at the Spink County Ambulance Center in Redfield from 3pm-6pm to help provide support and help children feel more comfortable during their flu shots!

A few ways to support your child through shots:

- One voice ONLY should be heard at a time to prevent overwhelm.

- No surprises! Educate your child beforehand. Be simple and come up with a coping plan.

- Validate- acknowledge any feelings and fears. "I know this is hard, you can squeeze by hand".

-Position for comfort- Work with your medical team to utilize therapeutic comfort holds such a sitting up right and hugging a parent.

-Pain Control- Try a cold pack and/or vibrations to help reduce discomfort. Look up Buzzy Bee found on Amazon!

- Offer distraction- My personal favorite tools, bubbles, seek-and-finds, light-up spinners, and tablets.

-Keep the room calm and limit extra people.

It's okay for your child and you to feel nervous! I am eager to support your child with comfort, choices, and encouragement.

09/30/2026

Let's Meet Gabby, EMT
Gabby Suihkonen-Gross
# of years of service?
I just joined Spink County Ambulance in the spring 2026. However, I bring about 5 years of experience with me from an ambulance service in my hometown up in rural Minnesota. I've worked as an EMT for the past 3 years, and an EMR prior.
Family Members?
I live with my husband in Aberdeen. He grew up and attended school right here in Redfield, and my in-laws still live in town.
Place of employment?
I work full-time as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Evaluator for InStride Health, an East Coast-based company providing specialty mental health care for children, teens, and young adults with diagnoses of anxiety, OCD and/or related disorders.
Hobbies?
I enjoy baking (especially sourdough!), spending time with my husband and our families, spending time up in Minnesota, traveling, crafting, sewing, shopping, music, and being outdoors. I also have a love for car shows, cruising in the '74 C10, helping with (or supervising...as he may sometimes call it) my husband's projects, or watching dirt track racing.
What made you become an EMT/Paramedic?
I am a third-generation EMS provider. My late grandfather was an EMT for my hometown's emerging ambulance service and taught CPR in the early days. My mom served as an EMT for 16 years and was the ambulance service director for a handful of years for our hometown department, until a tragic injury while volunteering at a community event resulted in paraplegia ending her career in the summer of 2025. All three of my siblings and I have worked in EMS as either EMRs or EMTs.
I became an EMT to carry on that family legacy, but also because I saw firsthand the critical importance of rural ambulance departments and the desperate need for volunteers. I wanted to be able to jump on calls and provide coverage alongside my family, rather than watching them struggle to find enough responders. Additionally, when I was six years old, a local ambulance crew, including a fellow EMT I have since had the privilege of working with, took care of me. He advocated for my health and treated my family with incredible care and compassion, which left a lasting impact on me.
Most rewarding aspect of your job? I love caring for the community, and having the ability to provide compassion and medical support in some of the hardest, scariest moments of their lives.
Fun fact about yourself. I grew up in Tower, Minnesota a small town of less than 500 people. It's in the northeastern part of Minnesota (the "arrowhead" region if you see Minnesota on a map), on what's known as the Mesabi Iron Range. Known for Iron Ore/ Taconite mining, the coldest recorded temperature in Minnesota (-60* F, no windchill included!), and the 5th largest lake in the state: Lake Vermilion. I enjoy baking (especially sourdough!), spending time with my husband and our families, spending time up in Minn.

09/25/2026

Spink County Ambulance hosted some ladies from the After School Program and the Spink County Daycare for CPR recertification and Dakota Responder First Aide Training! Each participant got to take home a ditch kit for taking part in the training !