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Commission approves EMS medical-director contract; EMS manager reports training gains and AED expansion
Summary
Flathead County commissioners approved a one-year medical director professional services contract for EMS. EMS program manager reported that 18 of 20 recent EMT students had passed national registry exams, new training equipment and AED procurement under a Helmsley grant are expanding capabilities.
The Flathead County Commission approved a one-year medical director professional services contract for county EMS on Tuesday, and EMS Program Manager Alan Brown gave a round of training and equipment updates.
Brown reported that a cohort of 20 EMT students completed their class in March; 18 had taken and passed the National Registry tests and obtained EMT licenses, while two students had not yet scheduled testing. “I looked on National Registry the other day and 18 have tested and passed and have obtained their EMT license,” Brown said.
Brown described recent and planned trainings including classes from the American Heart Association, pediatric advanced life support and prehospital trauma life support, plus a locally offered “sick, not sick” scenario-based course that drew 74 attendees and a train-the-trainer option. He also reported acquisition of training devices (EOLIFE trainers and devices) to improve ventilation training and patient care.
Brown said the county is managing AEDs obtained through a Helmsley grant administered by the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services; the county currently has 76 AEDs in the field and expects 15 more. The grant provides replacement pads within two days after an AED is used. Brown said deputies have used AEDs to return pulses on patients before EMS arrival.
Commissioners voted in favor of the medical director contract by voice vote.
