EMT-BASIC TRAINING COURSE PLANNED

Veterans Memorial Hospital, in cooperation with Northeast Iowa Community College, will sponsor an EMT-Basic class beginning Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in Waukon.
This 167-hour course is designed to train ambulance personnel and other individuals interested in attaining basic emergency medical knowledge. Upon completion of the course, participants will be qualified to volunteer with a community ambulance service and respond to personal emergency situations with quality emergency care.
The training includes basic anatomy and physiology, patient assessment, airway and shock management, cardiac life support, management of medical trauma, pediatric and geriatric emergencies, bandaging, splinting, emergency childbirth, extrication, and ambulance operations.
Students will also participate in emergency room, nursing home and ambulance clinicals. Upon completion of the course, each student is eligible to take the practical and written exams required to become nationally- and state-certified as an EMT-Basic.
Every community in Allamakee County needs support. The following is a job description of what is involved in participating in each community's emergency medical system (EMS):
REQUIREMENTS: Willingness to sit in class after working all day and ability to respond at any hour of the night, dress and be at the station in a just a few minutes.
HOURS: 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Anywhere someone needs help;
JOB TITLES: Caregiver, life-saver, counselor or trainer;
MUST SHOW: Courage, strength, bravery, heroics, diplomacy and good judgment;
RATE OF PAY: As much as one's heart can take. The truly worthwhile things in life cost something.
For more information or to apply with emergency medical services, contact Jeff Mitchell, EMS coordinator, at (319) 568-3411.
An open house will be held Thursday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the large conference room of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Emergency medical professionals from Harpers Ferry, Lansing, New Albin, Postville, Waterville and Waukon will be available to describe the expectations and procedures of their services. Those unable to attend this informational meeting can contact Jeff Mitchell, EMS coordinator, or any community EMS staff person for information.