McKenzie County Farmer - Latest News

M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer

In the quiet corners of our community, there are those who dedicate their lives to serving others, often without fanfare. Kathy Klang is one of those unsung heroes. For thirty years, she has been a steadfast presence with the McKenzie County Ambulance Service, a beacon of compassion and resilience. Klang was recently recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for thirty years of National Certification.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to serve the people of McKenzie County,” Kathy shared, her voice filled with a quiet strength. Her journey began in 1983 with a non-ambulance EMT class, but it was in 1994 that she truly found her calling. “I guess I’ve always taken care of people,” she reflected, recalling her efforts to care for her family members and her innate desire to help. Klang recalls the journey that led her to becoming an EMT: “I always wanted to be a nurse,” she said, recalling a lifelong interest in medicine. Though her path led her elsewhere, her heart remained devoted to caring for others. “It’s so nice to help people in those difficult situations, you have to have a lot of empathy.”

Kathy’s diligence extended far beyond the call of duty. “I used to be out half the night and then go to work all day,” she recounted, recalling the challenges that existed before there were opportunities to pursue being an Emergency Medical Technician as a full-time job. Yet somehow, she and others, she remembers fondly, managed juggling a full-time job, a family, and her EMT duties. She recalls long nights studying for the difficult assessments on her living room floor. Despite it all, she was filled with the satisfaction of service. Kathy jokes about being “a little too old for that now,” but insists that she will still be out helping the community in other ways. She also promises to be “chasing her grandkids down the slide” and “not growing old gracefully. “ One thing is certain: her commitment never wavered.

Her interest in the vocation was a family affair. “My daughter was a paramedic, my son was a paramedic, and my stepdad, he was an EMT,” she shared. “People would always say, well, I’m glad you do it, because I could never do it. And I said, yep, somebody’s got to do it.” Kathy’s commitment to excellence is evident in her continuous recertification. “Once you pass, you still every two years you have to recertify,” she explained, detailing the rigorous training and ongoing education required. Indeed, it is difficult to summarize or quantify what Klang’s devotion has meant to the community over thirty years of service-the sheer number of people Klang has helped in that time.

As she transitions to an administrative role with the EMT service as an office assistant, Kathy’s legacy remains. Her advice to others who want to pursue this path: “My big thing is if people do this, they have to have the ability to see bad things happen, but don’t ever lose the ability to have compassion and empathy for these people,” she emphasized. Her words are a wise principle for all who serve. Kathy Klang’s 30 years of service are a true example of dedication, compassion, and the quiet strength of an unsung hero. “I’m proud that I did it,” she said. And so are we.

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