Firefighter considers career change as Paramedic


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Paramedic Student Lee Brown performs an IV while Instructor Maylyn Geissler looks on. Brown, a Harahan firefighter, is currently in the NEMSA paramedic class with a completion date of July 2005. He plans to enter the EMS field as a paramedic and a fire fighter.

Contact: W. Keith Simon, VP, PR, 1.800.259.3333

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 9, 2004

In practical terms, everyone is responsible for his or her own career development. Today, it is important to regularly consider if your professional habits and skills will get you where you want to go in the work world. That is exactly what Lee Brown did. A Harahan firefighter for six years, Brown had always been interested in Emergency Medical Services. When he saw the advertisements about becoming a paramedic in less than 24 months he seized the opportunity.

“I wanted to further my career and have a better understanding of EMS,” explained Brown. “It is such an excellent field, and a way to be admired and respected by your family and friends. Being able to give an IV, an injection and have the knowledge to deal with tragedies will have a positive affect on not only my career, but on my family life as well. As a paramedic, I can be prepared for anything.”

Brown successfully completed the basic class and is now a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician. He is currently in the paramedic class with a completion date of July 2005. He plans to enter the EMS field as a paramedic and a fire fighter.

Persons interested in a new career or career change must register now for Basic and Paramedic courses that will begin in January 2005 at the National EMS Academy (NEMSA). To register, or for more information, call the Academy at 1.866.459.3500.

NEMSA is a unique distance learning institution for students pursuing a career as emergency medical technicians and for those looking for a career change. The Academy, which opened its doors July 7, 2003, is an educational partnership between South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) and Acadian Ambulance Service. NEMSA’s satellite sites are located in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Houma and Lake Charles. The satellite site in Gretna opened its doors with its first class July 5, 2004.

The Academy’s EMT curriculum addresses the large and constant shortage of emergency medical technicians. The EMT training programs provide a cost-effective educational opportunity to the general public where the end result is a well-paying job for first-time careers or for those in the process of a career change. Since the basic-to-paramedic courses take less than two years, it is a good choice for someone looking for a different career path.
Learners completing the EMT-Paramedic course can be hired as paramedics, the highest training possible as an emergency medical technician. As a paramedic, one can perform advanced cardiac life support procedures, administer cardiac drug therapy, perform defibrillation and airway procedures and interpret EKG readings.

The Academy utilizes compressed video technology to broadcast the training from the Lafayette-based host site to classrooms in the six other sites in Louisiana: Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Houma, Gretna and Lake Charles. The students at all locations are able to interact with each other and the lead instructor at the host site through specially designed cameras and microphones. Instructors at each site coordinate skills training and clinical internships while providing additional instruction in small group breakout sessions.

Because of the partnership with South Louisiana Community College, Dr. Jan Brobst said students are able to acquire college credits at the academy and work toward an associate degree in Emergency Health Sciences while pursuing paramedic certification.

According to NEMSA Director David LaCombe, the goal of the academy is to produce high quality, fully competent and caring paramedics. “Acadian Ambulance’s function is far from limited to responding to accidents and severe illnesses,” he said. “Half of our work is transporting non-emergency patients, a situation that calls not only for medical skills but also for stability, compassion and caring. These qualities will be emphasized as part of the academy's curriculum. The increased availability of highly-trained paramedics will also mean greater safety for the public.”

The Academy also offers services to the general public and to industry, such as teaching CPR classes and hosting EMS conferences. LaCombe said the Academy benefits students seeking productive careers and EMS executives seeking better ways to provide service. “Our goal is to be the leading resource for EMS education, research, and curricula development in the nation,” he said.

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