Midwest Medical Volunteers For Pilger Tornado Clean Up

Paramedics are often one of the first calls when help is needed. On Wednesday, 10 Neligh-based employees of Midwest Medical Transport Company answered a different kind of call and volunteered to help the Pilger tornado relief effort.

"We want to help in any way we can," said Julie Tschirren, manager of the Neligh location of Midwest Medical Transport. "We try to be involved in our community and the surrounding communities as much as we can, and Pilger needs our help."

View aerial photos of the June 16 tornado

An EF4 tornado left the 400-person Stanton County community looking like a war zone Monday night. Midwest Medical Transport Co. was called into action late that afternoon to help, sending 14 ground ambulances and two medical helicopters to the area to assist the victims of the storm.

Wednesday was the first day volunteers could enter the restricted area to assist in what will be a long-term cleanup effort. Tschirren said Midwest Medical was on scene for several reasons - helping to clean up, as well as providing medical support.

"Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragic event," Tschirren said. "Midwest Medical and Midwest MedAir will remain in the area and on stand-by to aid in relief efforts, as well as for the remainder of the severe weather season."

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