National Emergency Medical Services Week is a time to honor the live-saving efforts of first responders. Director of Pella Community Ambulance Greg Higginbotham says he’s thankful to all who serve as paramedics and volunteer EMS personnel. Higginbotham says the profession is challenging and requires a great deal of sacrifice for all who participate. It’s also is a team effort, which in Pella, includes the assistance of Pella Police and Fire Department personnel, as well as numerous agencies throughout the county and region. He says the goal of a wave of new hires recently has been to improve not only response times, but the relationships they have with the patients they are trying to save. In 2018, Pella Ambulance responded to more than 1,800 medical and trauma calls, as well as transfers of patients to various medical facilities.