If you’re planning to get hurt or sick in Petersburg, the second weekend in April this year would be a good time for that. All kidding aside, that’s when the community will see a large influx of emergency medical service volunteers and trainers for an annual regional conference.

It’s actually the 30th annual symposium for the Southeast Region EMS council and will be held here April 10-13th.

“We provide training to EMS providers, from doctors to nurses, mid-level providers and mostly EMTS is what we kindof focus on,” said Kim Nekeferof, a volunteer with Sitka’s fire department and a member of the Southeast Region EMS.

The group plans a pre-symposium April 10th and 11th at Petersburg’s fire hall and hospital and a symposium April 12th and 13th at Petersburg High School. “We are expecting for those pre-symposium days on the 10th and 11th about 40-70 people. That includes our presenters who are from all over Alaska and the United States in general, so we’ll see those. The other days, Saturday and Sunday, will be bigger days we’ll see probably about 60-90, is what we’re expecting,” Nekeferof said.

The gathering is not open to the public but there may some public CPR training offered during that week.