2021 ANNUAL REPORT

52

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Training Office (continued)

EMS Training Programs

EMS Training Programs once again attained two major accomplishments in 2021. Through the hard work and dedication of the EMS Training Staff, Paramedic Class 7 was the largest class to be held in the history of the program. The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services continues to be one of the very few Fire Departments in the United States that has achieved and maintained institutional accreditation by CoAEMSP and CAAHEP. Paramedic Class 7 graduated on November 29, 2021, with 13 students. Simultaneously through the last quarter of Paramedic Class 7, the EMS Training Staff began the intensive process of planning and selecting Paramedic Class 8 students. This course is an extremely difficult academic program for our employees to advance from an Emergency Medical Technician to the level of Paramedic. This training process is approximately 1,500 hours of classroom and clinical hours where students learn anatomy, pharmacology, cardiology, advanced emergency medical procedures, and invasive life saving techniques. Emergency medical care is an evidence-based practice which is constantly evolving, requiring recertification and training on new techniques and medical advancements to meet required National Standards. Frederick County instituted an internally created recertification training for basic life support providers, ensuring the required skills and enhancements are delivered for our personnel. The training program met national criteria and was modified to meet the training needs identified through quality assurance evaluations.