Johnson takes helm of local EMS

Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford (CASNR) has a new manager, and it's a face many will certainly recognize. Georgia Johnson, née Ritzke, a lifelong New Rockford resident with 24 years of healthcare experience, began her role on July 7.

Johnson takes over management of the volunteer organization amid the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when first responders are constantly training and adapting to a myriad of changing protocols and policies. The aim is to provide necessary medical attention to residents while mitigating the risk of COVID-19. They've been called to a few homes where potentially virus-positive patients reside, and Johnson said it's important that they remain diligent.

Even though 911 dispatchers at the Law Enforcement Center screen callers over the phone for potential risk from COVID-19, one CASNR volunteer conducts an on-site screening upon arrival at every call. Donned in full PPE, the EMT determines the level of risk and advises the other volunteers of proper protocol.

Although the positive case number in Eddy County has remained at five, with no new active cases identified in the past few weeks, Johnson takes the time to review the state statistics daily and will assume former manager Sara Myhre's seat on the Community Operations Team. Also an LPN at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd (LHGS), Johnson has helped administer two rounds of routine testing on residents and staff over the past two months and is prepared to assist with future community mass testing events as necessary. Johnson's desire to become a first responder was planted in December 1992 when she, her sister Alice and three of their friends were involved in a car/train accident as teenagers. She didn't forget how the emergency personnel attended to their needs and got them the medical care they required.

A 1995 graduate of New Rockford High School, Johnson began working at LHGS as a CNA in 1996. She earned her LPN degree in 2000 through the Transcends program at Northwest Technical College in Grand Forks. Most of her coursework was done via distance learning on a desktop computer in her home. She completed skills training onsite in Grand Forks and clinicals at hospitals in Devils Lake.

She is now in her 25th year at LHGS, in a full-time role that has evolved and expanded over the years. Meanwhile, she raised three daughters: Tori, Tessa and Kyria.

Johnson's service with CASNR began five years ago after she was approached by other volunteers. To take on the manager position, she shifted some of her added responsibilities at LHGS. She will continue to work three 12-hour shifts per week to maintain her full-time status at LHGS. Tuesdays will be her office day at CASNR, completing the bulk of the work in a 10-12 hour time span. She will also continue to fulfill her on-call duties for CASNR, which she has done nine weekdays a month for some time.

This year's Lifesavers in the Park event has been cancelled, which Johnson cited as a "board decision" made to protect residents, staff and the broader community. The annual community outreach event normally draws hundreds of people to downtown New Rockford for a meal, kids games and education booths by other medical professionals in the area.

To reach Johnson, call CASNR at (701) 947-2355 on Tuesdays or email [email protected].