Paramedic License

Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P)
This license allows the firefighter to perform advanced life support treatment. Cardiac defibrillation, drugs, and airway maintenance are parts of that treatment. The program is well over 400 hours of classroom and practical experience. This is followed by an intensive field internship under a supervising paramedic. The entire process of licensing a paramedic can take in excess of 2 years. 

Northwest Community hospital provides monthly continuing education in our station. A paramedic takes a recertification test every 6 months and must document 40 hours of classroom and 40 hours of clinical experience every two years. 

A typical shift day incorporates some of this training, as well as many responses to emergency medical calls. 

There are also more specialized classes such as Pediatric Life Support, Basic and Advanced Trauma Care, and Advanced Cardiac Care that many firefighters pursue.