Jackson Offering Four-Month Basic EMT Course Beginning January 17

Jackson County EMS is offering a basic EMT course as a way to generate more employees for the county’s service and surrounding counties.

EMS Director Keith Bean said people who take the course will be qualified to work on an ambulance as soon as they are finished. Bean said the department is not hiring any more full-time employees at this time, but that he expects there will be openings by the time the class is finished.

“It’s an ongoing thing,” Bean said. “Of course, the more training they get, then other counties or bigger services can pay more, so it’s just, we lose people every day and we’re just trying to keep up with the demand.”

Bean said the course is sixteen weeks long and costs about $2,500 per student. Bean said certain low-income citizens may qualify for financial aid from the workforce development department. He said that Jackson County is searching for consistent part-time workers for the department alongside potential full-time EMTs.

“It’s all over the Upper Cumberland, the ambulance services are short personnel,” Bean said. “We’re trying to fill positions for everybody.”

Bean said some of the skills taught during the entry-level course will be checking vitals, controlling bleeding, and CPR.

“There’s, of course, advanced EMT class, and paramedic class, and critical care,” Bean said. “But this will get your foot in the door.

The course will begin on January 17.

“People, if they can better their selves, I’m all for them bettering their selves to support their family,” Bean said.