The Washington County Extension Service partners with Washington County Schools each year to plan and facilitate Teen Leadership Washington County.  Integral goals of this program include learning more about leadership, community, and career opportunities in a variety of fields.  In addition to assignments and a retreat, the program includes group days that focus on local government, health, business and industry, financial management, media, law and civic responsibilities, state government, and agriculture.  This story will provide a closer look at the Teen Leadership Health and Emergency Services Day, which is led by local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Rescue leaders.  

The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent taught a short lesson on team building using the Positive Employability curriculum to begin the day.  The group then traveled to Springview Hospital.  Through tours and talks with medical professionals, the teens learned about intensive care, emergency room services, education/case management, rehabilitation services, lab services, imaging services, women's care, wound care, and hospital administration.  In an evaluation, teens were asked what they learned from their visit to Springview Hospital.  Their responses included "There are very many specialties that you can pursue and different areas that can help patients" and "That health care is very diverse and that there are multiple people that can help save lives in different ways."

After leaving the hospital, the group traveled to Lewis Auto Salvage for a mock vehicle rescue activity led by Washington County EMS.  Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) explained the tools and safe procedures for rescuing people from car accidents. EMTs worked with the teens to provide hands-on experience with rescue tools, such as the Jaws of Life, a tool to shatter glass, and a windshield cutter. The teens were divided into teams and worked together through rescue simulations.  In an evaluation, teens were asked what they learned from the activity. Their responses included "All of the factors that go into helping with accidents.  I took them for granted before today," "I learned that it's a lot of hard work and you need to stay calm," and "What EMS has to go through to save someone's life in a short period of time."  

The group then traveled to the Washington County Extension Office, where a medical helicopter landed.  Healthcare personnel and the pilot spoke to the teens about the services they provide and let the teens explore the helicopter.  We completed the day with the evaluation.  Out of twenty-three total participants, ten of the teens indicated that they are interested in careers in the health field. The Teen Leadership program coordinators will continue to offer Health and Emergency Services Day to learn more about local emergency services and career opportunities in healthcare.