With the ability to train more individuals having increased the number of EMS responders in the county, it seems that this expansion has proved to be a successful attempt to better protect the community.

Previously there existed only two course sponsors within the county, being Jamestown Community College and Alstar EMS. While Alstar typically performs advanced training, with JCC covering much of the beginner training, it was clear that there was a greater demand for more basic training services in the county. As a result, the Chautauqua County Offices of Emergency Services began offering beginner courses as well.

The program has just begun yet another spring class recently, which is once again nearly full.

Charlene Unger,Chautauqua County EMS educational coordinator, noted the positive increase in communication that the new course has created, especially over the last year and a half. Unger stated that herself, along with JCC educator Rob Smith, have begun putting out significantly more information online and increasing the general amount of information that is accessible to the community.

Students look around a medical service helicopter.

“We’ve been working together as a whole because our message at the end of the day is that, when a member from our community calls 911, they’re not going to be concerned about where that person got their training from,” said Unger. “We just want to push out the same information and be, across the board, teaching these individuals to become well educated EMTs.”

With Alstar EMS now focusing even more on the advanced training, the basic training is mostly covered by JCC and the EMS office. Unger noted that the further communication has resulted in more students seeming to advance into higher programs. Unger also stated the group even has educators from Alstar come in and provide information to students in the basic program, to help them know how to advance if they wish to do so.

Currently, the EMS office provides two training sessions each year, with one occurring in the summer and one in the fall. The fall classes are typically better suited for those that may be working during the training, as it is usually about three hours of classes that take place in the evenings a few days each week, according to Unger. The summer program is a more academy style structure though. Unger stated that the summer program is about four to five days each week, with six to eight hour long days typically. With the minimum EMT age currently being 17, this option may be far better suited to high school or college students that wish to complete the program quicker during a break. Unger noted that JCC has a spring program and a fall program as well, giving people the option to attend when other courses are not available.

“It’s hard for everyone to get out there and get to every single call and stuff like that. You can do what you can do,” said Unger. ” So just getting out there, even if it’s not going into the EMT class, just taking a CPR class. Take a Stop the Bleed class, you know. Just get out there and be active.

Upon completing this coursework, Unger noted that the students must take the New York State test to complete their certification. An exciting new development for the organization was being approved as a National Registry Course Program. Due to this, students will be given the opportunity to take the national EMT test along with the state one, which will allow their EMT certification to transfer to many different states.

Chautauqua County EMS instructors demonstrate a tourniquet to a group.

While Unger mentioned a noticeable increase in enrollment since the expansion, volunteer and public services are always looking to have more people to further strengthen the county’s public protections. For more information contact 716-753-4025.

Submitted Photo Students working hard during one of the EMT certification classes.