Perry Fire Department to Increase EMT Responders: The Perry Fire Department has received a significant amount of $38,263 from the Oklahoma Emergency Response Systems Stabilization and Improvement Revolving Fund (OERSSIRF) administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This grant is meant for strengthening fire services especially in rural areas, which includes departmental assessment, restructuring, training and provision of equipment. This initiative will help deliver emergency assistance to Perry residents better than ever before.
Department Structure and Needs
The Perry Fire Department is staffed by both professional and volunteer firefighters. Full-time firefighters are required to have an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification, while volunteers are certified as EMR (Emergency Medical Responder). However, EMR training is limited, so they cannot provide patient care in the ambulance. Currently, the department employs 6 EMTs and 7 EMRs who serve the local community.
Special Use of Grant for EMT Training
A significant portion of this grant is being used to provide EMT training for volunteer firefighters. Six volunteers will receive EMT training and exams, which will enable them to provide better medical care. This is not just training, but a step towards raising the level of health safety of the entire community.
While EMRs provide only initial care such as breathing, blood circulation and bandaging injuries, EMTs can also provide necessary medical care while transporting the patient to the ambulance. So this certification can make the difference between life and death.
An Example of Humanity and Service
“Our volunteer firefighters are the backbone of our department. They provide the service we rely on in an emergency,” said Acting Perry Fire Chief Russell Brand. He added that this additional training will not only enhance service, but also strengthen community safety.
These six volunteers are participating in this training without pay. They already give their time and effort to the service and now expand their scope and responsibility by becoming EMTs.
EMT Training Outline
This EMT training is a total of 230 hours, with 182 hours spent in the classroom and 48 hours in a clinical setting. Training begins in January and runs through June, and classes are held at the Perry Fire Department at least 8 hours a week. After completing the training, participants can obtain an EMT license by taking the National Registry Exam. The OERSSIRF grant covers all expenses for this entire process.
A Visionary Move: Collaboration and Preparation
Rena Hines, Meridian’s short-term adult education director, also praised the effort. “It shows the vision of the Perry Fire Department. They thought about how they could have the maximum impact on the entire community,” she said. She was instrumental in developing the grant proposal in collaboration with the department.
Learn Locally: Meridian’s Learn Locally initiative
A number of short courses for personal and professional development are now available in Perry as part of Meridian Technology Center’s Learn Locally initiative. This season, courses include Electric Pressure Cooking, Infant/Child CPR, Heartsaver CPR/AED, Braiding Techniques, and Aromatherapy. The classes are being held at the 611 Bakehouse.
In addition, the Perry Chamber of Commerce will have monthly Lunch-n-Learn sessions on topics such as Productivity Tips in Outlook 365, Organization with One Note, and 10 Google Apps You Haven’t Heard Of Before.
Many Learning Opportunities
Meridian’s Stillwater Campus offers hundreds of courses each semester, including EMT training. Courses are available both day and night, and most are only once or twice a week, making them convenient for working people. Online training is also an option for those with limited time.
Those interested in starting a specific short course at Perry can contact Carol Dvorak at carold@meridiantech.edu.
