Our members spend lots of time on training. The initial EMT course is now 200 hours in length. While on duty we work with each other to train new members on equipment location and use. Crews may review the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and run though scenarios to see how they fit into our practice as emergency medical personnel. On weekends our medics may be in the American Heart Association Advanced Life Support Class (ACLS) or the Pediatric Advanced Life Support Class (PALS). These are all done to keep up our skills. Practice makes perfect they say, so proper securing someone to a backboard as practice or picking the right cervical collar make it second hand in an emergency.
The philosophy of training extends out to the community. During EMS Week last month May 19th-25th the Squad held its annual "Save your Heart For Love", a mini first aid class for children in the Kohl's parking lot on May 22. 58 children attended the stations and were fitted with new bike helmets. They children learned how to control bleeding, with proper use of 911, fire safety, abdominal thrust to help a choking victim and bike safety. Some children were as young as 4years old.
