[KPFARS-Members] Required Training

[Alfred Low-Beer]

There have been some questions raised recently about what our squad's training requirements are.  This email will provide an overview of those requirements.

Our training requirements are established by Federal and State Law, the Guidelines of the EMS Council of New Jersey, and our Squad Bylaws.  For the most part, our bylaws adopt the EMS Council of New Jersey Guidelines as is required  both by State law and the requirements for member squads of the Council (of which we are one), but there are some other applicable parts of our bylaws.

In order to become a member of the squad and serve as a crew member on our ambulances, an individual must successfully complete a basic first aid course and a professional level CPR Course.  The basic first aid course is mandated by the bylaws and can be any course that provides an understanding of basic first aid, such as the Red Cross Standard First Aid Course, the AHA Heartsaver Basic First Aid Course, or the ASHI or ECSI First Aid courses.  If a new member has already completed an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or a qualifying Emergency Care Responder (ECR) course and has current certification/licensure, they need  not take a basic first aid course.  The professional level CPR course can be any course approved by the N.J. Dept. of Health.  Acceptable Course include the AHA BLS CPR course, the Red Cross Professional CPR course, or the ASHI, Dept. of Defense, and American Mining Assoc. Professional Level CPR courses.

 All new members must complete an ambulance and equipment familiarization conducted by the Squad Chief or his designee immediately after their membership is approved by the membership committee or the  squad.

Once a new member is on the squad, they become a Probationary Member.  They must remain a probationary member for at least 6 months, but no longer than 1 year.  A probationary member must be reviewed after 6 months by the membership committee.  With the advice of the Chief, the membership committee will either confer full membership on them, extend their probation for a period not to exceed 6 months, or remove them from the squad.  After a probationary member is on the squad for 1 year, the membership committee must either confer full membership on the membership or remove them from the squad.  Decisions of the membership committee can be appealed to the squad.

In order to be authorized to drive a squad ambulance, a member must have a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record (per the squad's insurer). The members must also complete a Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) Course, an Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course (EVOC) , or a similar course approved by the EMS Council of New Jersey.  The member must be approved by the Squad Chief or his designee to drive.  A CEVO or EVOC course must only be taken once.

All new members on the squad are considered Emergency Case Responders unless they have already completed the requirements to be an Emergency Medical Technician.  Such new members must complete the requirements to fall into one of the three categories designated by the EMS Council of New Jersey.  These are:  Emergency Care Responder, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Driver only.  Those requirements must be met within one year of their date of joining.

To remain as an Emergency Care Responder, a member must complete an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Course,  a National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care Course, or similar course approved by the EMS Council of New Jersey.   These are 40 to 80 hour courses. An Emergency Care Responder may provide direct patient care under the direct supervision of a non-provisional EMT or crew chief.  An Emergency Medical Responder shall maintain their certifications so that they are current. These cards generally are renewable every 3 years.

To become an Emergency Medical Technician, a member must complete a State or National Registry approved EMT Course and complete a State-approved Developmental Disabilities Awareness Course (this can be taken online).  An EMT Course is about 200 hours. An EMT may provide direct patient care subject to the supervision of  a Crew Chief.  All EMT's shall maintain a current National Registry certification as an EMT or Paramedic or a N.J. State license as an EMT or Paramedic.  An EMT license must be renewed every 3 years (2 years for National Registry).  A paramedic license must be renewed every 2 years. The Developmental Disabilities Course need only be taken once.  Provisional EMT's are those EMT's under 18 years of age.

Any member who has not completed any additional training beyond the Basic First Aid Training, after one year shall be designated as a Driver only, provided they have completed training to be designated a driver.  Drivers may only provide incidental patient care, such as providing CPR, moving and lifting patients under the direct supervision of a non-provisional EMT or crew chief..  They shall not render direct care to patients.

Members shall be designated as crew chiefs by the Squad Chief.  Crew chiefs must be non-provisional EMT's or Paramedics.

In addition to the above all members must undergo Incident Command System Training.  Prior to being removed from probation a new member shall complete the ICS 100 course and NIMS 700 training.  This may be completed online.  Prior to being designated a crew chief, a member shall complete ICS 200.  This may be done online.  Prior to running for a line officer position, a member shall complete an ICS 300 course.  This must be an instructor-led course.  Prior to running for Squad Chief, a member must complete an ICS 400 course.  This must be an instructor-led course.

All members must maintain a current  professional level CPR Course.  All members shall undergo annual CPR training.  CPR certifications must be renewed every 2 years.  If a member's CPR certification expires without being renewed, they will be put on inactive status, until they renew their certification.  If a member remains inactive for more than three months, they are subject to removal from the squad.  They may, upon their request in writing, be placed on leave at the discretion of the Chief.  Leaves may not be granted for a period of longer than one year.

Any member whose certification, other than CPR, lapses, shall be placed in a category (i.e., EMT, EMR, Driver only) that they qualify for.  If they do not qualify for any category they will be put on inactive status just like if their CPR card was expired.

It is the responsibility of each member to make sure they keep their training and certification up-to-date.  It is the responsibility of the squad to ensure that all members are appropriately trained and certified for their assignments.  It is the responsibility of the executive officers to maintain records and it is the duty of the line officers to enforce the training requirements.

Currently as a result of the recent construction, member files have become out-dated.  With the completion of the construction we  will be reaching out to members to ensure that all training records are up-to-date and members have the required training.

If you have any questions about the training requirements, please feel free to ask me.

Thanks.

Alfred Low-Beer


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.kb2ear.net/pipermail/members/attachments/20180421/9e1f7449/attachment.html>