Wyoming County Community Health Foundation

The Wyoming County Community Health Foundation is proud to be raising funds to continue and expand First Responders Clubs throughout Wyoming County schools. As NEPA Gives approaches, please consider making a donation to help support this life-changing program for our students and community.

Coming off a highly successful 2025–2026 academic year at Tunkhannock Area School District, 33 students in grades 8–12 successfully completed hands-on emergency response training and earned certifications in CPR and AED usage. Throughout the year, students participated in biweekly trainings led by Jump Start Training LLC, rotating through interactive skill stations focused on CPR, AED operation, the Heimlich maneuver, and other lifesaving emergency response techniques.

During the final certification session, students reinforced the knowledge and practical skills they gained throughout the program. As a result, all participating students earned CPR and AED certifications, equipping them with real-world skills that can make a life-saving difference in emergency situations.

This program is about far more than certifications, it is about building the future of emergency response in our rural communities.

EMS agencies across the country are facing an ongoing workforce crisis, and Wyoming County is no exception. By introducing students to emergency response training at a younger age, the First Responders Clubs are helping spark interest in EMS, healthcare, and public safety careers while preparing students to become the next generation of trained, community-minded responders. These are skills students can carry into their future careers, homes, schools, workplaces, and everyday lives.

The impact of this program became very real over the year. One student from the First Responders Club assisted in the rescue of an individual on a pond in Sullivan County who was experiencing medical distress. The student immediately applied skills learned through the club, helping the individual safely reach shore, gradually warming them to help prevent hypothermia, and providing basic first aid until additional emergency personnel arrived.

This real-life experience serves as a powerful reminder that these students are not simply learning, they are saving lives.

Every donation made during NEPA Gives helps us continue providing training, certifications, equipment, and opportunities that prepare students to respond when emergencies happen. Together, we can strengthen the future of EMS and emergency response in Wyoming County!