The EMT training program at Carmichaels High School is one of both challenge and comradery. Led by active EMT and Social Studies teacher Rebecca Reed, the program is running with a full outfit of lights and sirens. With more than 100 participants over the course’s existence, students and their patients have been aided for the better. In light of the current boom in medical careers, early, real-world training is an asset to students looking to further their education in nursing or pre-med tracks.
EMT is a scheduled course, offered through partnership with Penn State Fayette, that is taken in two parts throughout the school day. In it, students are taught practical emergency response skills and medical practices used by EMTs. They are then assessed on textbook and hands-on learning through exams of both formats.
Students in the EMT program are also given the opportunity to accompany Ms. Reed and other working paramedics at Brownsville’s EMS department on ride-alongs that eventually develop into supervised shifts as training EMTs. These shifts can be a moment of truth for students to discover whether or not they are truly called to a medical career, and for those that may have been on the fence to potentially unlock newfound confidence and passion.
In order to provide such an immersive career track, the EMT program requires updated training equipment to accurately prepare budding EMTs with the exposure to the latest technologies. Fortunately, Carmichaels’ program just received a generous grant from EMS West, which provides support for Emergency Medical Services education, workforce development, and patient care, according to Rich Kaufman, the organization’s Deputy Director.
In early budgeting, EMS West identified Greene County as an area of need in the 16-county region. Besides Carmichaels, who invites Jefferson High School students to participate in the program in-person, EMT programs at the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department and the Greene County Career and Technology Center (CTC) were selected for a bolstered arsenal of training equipment due to their strong base of community presence and volunteering. EMS instructors at all three programs provided input as to what tools were of greatest need to efficiently direct the grant providers to the most useful classroom items.
“It is important for us as the Regional EMS Council to advocate for EMS providers, agencies, students, and patients,” said Kaufman. “Having this equipment in the hands of qualified EMS instructors at rural education sites in Greene County makes the most sense. It shouldn’t be locked away in a cabinet somewhere.”
Carmichaels “received two airway heads, a rescue mannequin, a labor and delivery simulator, glucometers, pulse oximeters, gloves, and tourniquets,” shares Reed gratefully.
EMS West extends its appreciation to Justin Beal of Jefferson VFC, Dan Halliday of Greene County CTC, and Rebecca Reed of Carmichaels High School for their leadership, cooperation, and commitment to advancing EMS education in Greene County.
