"MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH DEDICATED LOCAL VOLUNTEERS, TRAINED & EQUIPPED TO SERVE THEIR NEIGHBORS"
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EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
What training do they need?
The State of Oregon recognizes several levels of
certification for emergency medical responders.
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EMR - emergency medical responders. (certified by local organizations for assisting other EMTs in patient care)
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EMT – emergency medical technician. (licensed by the state after training and testing to perform several basic life support skills and approved to qualify a licensed Ambulance staffing requirement)
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AEMT - Advanced EMT (licensed by the state after training and testing to perform all EMT level skills plus several advanced life support skills)
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EMT-I – EMT – Intermediate (licensed by the state after training and testing to perform EMT and AEMT skills plus several more advanced life support skills)
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EMT-P – EMT –Paramedic (licensed by the state after obtaining an associate degree, training and testing to perform all EMT through EMT-I skills plus even more advanced life support skills)
How can I get the training I need
Umpqua Community College teaches these courses as a part of their vocational training programs. North Douglas Co. Fire & EMS has arranged for classes at the EMT level to be offered as a part of their “off-campus” learning program. This is a two-term course taught at our Station 1 in Drain two nights per week in the fall. Scholarships are available. Contact NDCF&EMS office in August to get a list of pre-requisites for this opportunity.
How do I get started?
Contact our office to arrange a “ride along” to see if you have the right stuff to be an EMT.
Pick up, complete and return an application from the office or download one from the website.
Get your EMT license from the State and start your on-going training and skills development with us.
What do they do?
EMTs are trained in the knowledge and techniques needed in the pre-hospital setting to treat, package, and transport the sick and injured to an emergency department of local hospitals where they can receive definitive care.
Therefore volunteers fill this need to a great degree. Many of our EMTs do what they do simply because their community needs it. Some do it to get the training and confidence so that if something awful happens in their own home they can be prepared to help their own. Some do it as a way to start a professional career. Others that have achieved that career, do it as a way to give back to the community and agency that helped them get started. Some take pride in sharing the knowledge and skills they have acquired in challenging circumstances. Many simply enjoy the professionalism shared by these fine individuals. All are members of a special and highly appreciated group in their community.
Why not do it, or why shouldn’t I?
You will be challenged to learn new skills and information. You will be asked to spend time away from family and other pursuits. You will be called on to respond from your warm bed or dinner table. You will go out into the dark and stormy night. You will witness members of your community on their worst day and they will look to you for help that may not be enough to make it ALL better.
Why do they do it, or why should I?It’s not for everyone, but for those who can see themselves in this role, and can set their sights on getting there, the rewards can be many and the opportunity to serve unmatched. Think about the possibility that you or your loved one was suddenly in need of medical assistance. Who will come to help? How long must we wait? Will they have the knowledge, skills, aptitude, attitude, equipment, and experience to do the right thing? What has been done to assure they are available? In a small rural community such as ours, the financial resources are simply not available to hire the dozen or so full-time medics that would be necessary to staff around the clock 24/7/365 multiple ambulances to respond to unscheduled events at a moment’s notice.