Make a difference - Become an EMT: Class through NICC starts in January

For anyone who ever wanted to make a huge difference in the community, becoming an Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) helps fill a huge void and makes a huge impact in all area communities.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will be offering an EMT Class in Waukon, beginning in January. This 138-hour course, which will conclude in May.  Registration for this class must be completed soon.

The number of EMTs in this area has dwindled over the years as licensed EMTs have retired. Allamakee and northern Clayton Counties are fortunate to have many emergency response services, but nearly all are in need of more EMTs on their service to share call time, ensuring local emergency services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The EMT class prepares the students to provide pre-hospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.

Enthusiastic, willing volunteers wanting to truly help people are needed to fill this class. The class will meet two nights per week for five months, Mondays and Thursdays, from 6-10 p.m. and clinicals will be held in person. Students who successfully complete this class and the certification examination will be able to volunteer on their own community’s ambulance service or rescue squad, as well as be prepared for careers in emergency services.

For more information, contact Cheryl Livingston, Paramedic and Class Instructor, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.