Putnam EMS Anticipating New School Program

Putnam County EMS anticipating the launch of a new EMS training program inside the county’s high schools.

Putnam County EMS Chief Tommy Copeland said the programs will teach basic courses that Emergency Medical Technicians must take before working in an ambulance. Copeland said he hopes the new programs will attract more students to become emergency first responders.

“That’s something we have been wanting for a few years because we’ve got a declining number of people and more demand for folks in EMS,” Copeland said. “So by doing this in the high schools as soon as they graduate, they will be employable by ambulance services locally.”

Copeland said several EMS departments within the Upper Cumberland are currently operating short-handed. Copeland said even if a student finds out they don’t want to be an emergency first responder the program can be a segue into other medical careers.

“We’ve got half a dozen physicians that previously worked here as EMTs and paramedics,” Copeland said. “We’ve got a great number of nurses, nurse practitioners, physical assistants, and all that stuff. A lot of folks will do this like when they are going to college.”

Copeland the EMS field is a unique career field as usually you are responding to people who are going through the worst day of their life. Copeland said he hopes to continue a great relationship with the school system by partnering to help students get live experience.

“Part of their training will be actual training rides or clinical rides during the program and I’m sure a lot of those will be accomplished here,” Copeland said. “So yes, we will continue to work with them and hopefully integrate their students into our employees.”

Copeland said he has noticed that other areas within Tennessee that already have similar programs have seen major benefits from the programs.