Agenda - 10-03-2013 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comprehensive Assessment of Emergency Medical Services 54 and 911 /Communications Center Operations Study Training & Certification In North Carolina, the successful completion of established minimum training requirements must occur before an individual can be certified to work as a Medical Responder (MR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Paramedic. This applies to both volunteer and paid /career participants. The current training hours that must be successfully completed to receive certification at either level are as follows: Figure 3 Minimum Training Hours Required per Level of Certification Certification Level Hours Medical Responder 69 EMT -Basic 169 EMT - Intermediate; in addition to "Basic" hours 256 EMT - Paramedic; in addition to all "Basic" & "Intermediate" hours 1,096 In addition to the minimum hours required for certification, continuing education is also required of all Department field personnel. The current minimum requirement is 36 hours per year, per employee. While EMS is not currently allocated designated Field Training Officer (FTO) positions, newly hired employees, particularly trainees, are assigned to work with a senior Paramedic who will serve as such for at least the employee's orientation and /or initial probationary period. The EMS Division Training Officer is responsible for organizing, implementing, certification, oversight and documentation of all training activities within EMS as directed by the EMS Operations Supervisor. In addition to direct training responsibilities for department personnel, the Training Officer is also responsible for re- credentialing (per state requirements) all personnel every four (4) years, providing continuing education annually to each certified fire department or rescue squad medical first responder, as well as serving as the principal contact and liaison with the State Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) with regards to medical protocols, agency and individual licensures, and the receipt and implementation of new /updated EMS practice policy as it is issued by the State. The Training Officer will also work closely and coordinate activities with the Medical Director. Communications & Dispatch While the emergency medical operations discussed in this report section address predominately those activities that require the movement of personnel with special vehicles, skills, and equipment to the scene of the emergency reported, it is the actual reporting of that emergency which gets everything started. In this instance, the County's 911 /Communications Center is also an operational division of the Orange County Emergency Services Department. It is located on the second level of the Emergency Services Administration building at 510 Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough. In the professional terminology of the communications industry, the Communications Center is the designated public safety answering point, or PSAP, for emergency communications in Orange County. The Center operates 24 hours per day and is continuously staffed by Telecom municators who receive and dispatch calls for not only EMS, but Fire, Rescue, and Law Enforcement throughout the County. Solutions for Local Government, Inc. 10