2023 ANNUAL REPORT-FINAL

59

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Training Office (continued)

EMS Training Programs

Paramedic Class 9 graduated on November 27, 2023, with 11 students. Simultaneously during the last quarter of Paramedic Class 9, the EMS Training Staff began the intensive process of planning and selecting students for Paramedic Class 10. Paramedic Class 10 started on January 2, 2024, with 12 students and will graduate in November of 2024. This course is an extremely difficult academic program for our employees to advance from an Emergency Medical Technician to the level of Paramedic. The program encompasses approximately 1,500 hours of classroom and clinical hours where students learn anatomy and physiology, 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. The EMS Training Section delivers a self-created recertification training program for our basic life support clinicians, to ensure they remain current on these techniques and advancements. The recertification training not only meets state and national criteria, but also addresses needs identified through the divisions Quality Assurance program.