Putnam EMS To Host First Training Program For Advanced EMTs

Putnam County EMS set to host its first-ever advanced EMT courses this year.

EMS Director Tommy Copeland said several years ago, the county approved funding to conduct EMT training in-house to help address staffing issues. He said now, they will be able to offer the next stepping stone in emergency medical training.

“And when they get to the advanced EMT levels, they start learning more drugs more advanced airway procedures,” Copeland said. “They learn a lot more skills that they can utilize on an ambulance than basic EMTs do.”

Copeland said the courses have already garnered a lot of interest. He said there is a 20-seat capacity on the course, so they anticipate having a more thorough application and interview process before approving candidates. The deadline to apply is February 15th.

Copeland said he hopes the trends of EMT shortages nationwide are changing after seeing increased interest in programs like these. He said they have just completed their 4^th basic EMT program and plan to continue the AEMT programs.