EMS Honored For 147 Years Of Combined Service

Local emergency medical services responders were honored recently for their years of service to Grant County.

The combined total of years for those honored during a ceremony Friday, May 26, was 147.

Honored were: Paramedic Barb Groomer, nine years; Paramedic Paul Fort, six years; EMT Kenny Groomer, eight years; EMT Jose Aguero, five years; AMT Kira Galloway, five years; EMT Shawn Galloway, two years; Paramedic Terry Crosby, 21 years; AMT John Crosby, 21 years; Paramedic Robyn McKown, 14 years; AMT Robert Stamey, 19 years; Paramedic Mark Pata, 18 years; and Paramendic and EMT Director Jeff Baier, 19 years.

Emergency Medical Services

In the field of emergency medical services (EMS), there are different levels of certifications for providers.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR): EMRs administer life-saving techniques such as CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while waiting for more qualified medical professionals to arrive. EMRs are also responsible for assisting other medical professionals at the scene of the emergency or during transport. EMRs perform basic interventions with minimal equipment.

Emergency Medical Technicians: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are the most common type of providers in EMS and are sometimes referred to as EMTs. EMTs learn the essential skills to help in life-threatening situations and many EMTs go on to earn an  Advanced EMT certificate or become a Paramedic. Many doctors, nurses, and firefighters have also used their EMT education and work experience as stepping stones in their careers.

EMTs have acquired the knowledge and skills to stabilize and safely transport patients for all emergency calls, from routine transports to life-threatening emergencies. They provide crucial treatment onsite and during the ambulance ride to the hospital, including controlling bleeding, stabilizing breaks, and addressing shock. EMTs perform their vital services using the basic equipment typically found in an ambulance.

Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT): AEMTs provide the same services as EMTs. However, in addition, they can administer fluids and some medications. They are also trained to use the advanced medical equipment carried in the ambulance.

The biggest difference between EMTs and Paramedics is the amount of education they receive and the level of care they provide  for patients (i.e. scope of practice).

Paramedic: Paramedics provide advanced medical care for critical patients. This includes triage with sophisticated medical equipment and administering approximately 30 different types of drugs. Paramedic (PM) students complete a program between 1,200 to 1,800 hours and may last six to 12 months. Topics covered in paramedic courses include anatomy and physiology, cardiology, medications, and medical procedures. Paramedic courses build on EMT education and teach skills such as administering medications, starting intravenous lines, providing advanced airway management, EKG Interpretation for patients, and learning to provide emergency care to patients with  life-threatening medical or traumatic emergencies.