By Henri Brickey
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Copyright 2007 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, Texas — Wanted: Rural residents who want to save lives and receive free training to learn how.

It might seem like an offer no one would refuse, but finding volunteer emergency medical technicians is becoming increasingly difficult in small towns.

"Volunteers just aren't there anymore to do what we do," said Russ Perkins, director of Idalou Emergency Medical Service, which added its first paid EMT position in May due to the shrinking number of volunteers. "We've been beating our heads against the wall trying to get people. We will even pay for the school if they'll give us one year of service."

Full Story: Shortages throughout small towns force addition of paid positions