EMS workers pinch-hitting in Palmer

The demands placed on EMS and fire personnel never go away, not even to allow them to say goodbye to a co-worker, but there can be ways to work around those demands.

Crews from other first response agencies volunteered to staff the Richmond Township fire and EMS facility today so that the crew members who regularly worked with Sharron Martis could attend her memorial service and funeral.

“It’s been many years since we’ve had a line-of-duty death in EMS in Marquette County,” Sands Township EMS coordinator Lyn Nelson said. “It’s tragic, and it’s stunning for all of the people that give so much to their communities day by day and then something like this happens.”

Sands Township EMS volunteers were on duty in Palmer this morning.

The decision they and their colleagues made to donate their time is in keeping with how Sharron lived her own life.

“Sharron was a person who loved to give to others,” Nelson said. “She had recently completed a nursing degree, too, so she was in the community, involved in many ways.”

Sharron Martis died last Friday from complications of the brain hemorrhage that she suffered while on duty. She was 52 years old.

Sharron’s EMS and firefighting colleagues in Richmond Township are hosting a Sunday brunch fundraiser to help her family with medical costs.

It’s scheduled for 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Palmer fire hall on Nicholas Avenue.

Donations are being accepted for the family at the Richmond Township Office during regular business hours.