EMS Week: The Making of a Paramedic

Becoming an EMS first responder is no easy task. The training is arduous, the work requires emotional and mental stamina and the pay doesn't come close to the value of the services provided.

But for many, it's more than a job, it's a calling. And that is the theme of this year's EMS Week. President Bob Cumberland said that the statement rings true of the paramedics he knows.

"When they come to work in the morning, they have no idea what is going to happen that day," Cumberland said. "They are waiting for that call. When it comes they don't think about what it is, they just go."

According to Cumberland, the Westminster Fire Department has 17 full time and 35 part time EMTs. He said all career first responders in the department are certified as EMTs, paramedics and firefighters.

The process to become a licensed paramedic requires dedication and ambition. Cumberland said that earning the paramedic license is almost the equivalent of attending two years of community college.

There are different levels of certification for EMS responders. The first level is the First Responder (soon to become Emergency Medical Responder). Then, with additional training there is the Emergency Medical Technician/EMT certification. Following that, with still more training comes the licensing process to become an Emergency Medical Technician/CRT. Then finally, with additional training comes the license to be a paramedic.

The state-approved EMT-Paramedic course requires a total of 1,100 hours worth of course time. Most universities and community colleges within Maryland offer an EMT-Paramedic program as well as fire academies.

Then there's the practical training outside of the classroom that requires trainees to have 12 months as an EMT providing patient care or have at least 150 professionally documented ambulance responses.

Finally there are a series of exams, one of which is a written exam that trainees must score a 75 or higher on in order to earn a license.

According to Cumberland, a good EMT has strong skills, an interest in being in the field and a passion for community.

"They want to provide a good service to the community," Cumberland said.

The Westminster Fire Company website reports that so far this year, responders have gone on 1,589 EMS calls.

A luncheon will be held today at the Westminster Fire Department to recognize the work of local paramedics.

Patch will highlight the efforts and accomplishments of local paramedics throughout the week.

To learn more about EMS Week, visit www.emsweek.org.