By Jarred Meeks
Witham Health Services and the Thorntown/Sugar Creek Fire Dept. will offer an emergency medical responder class, formerly known as a first responder class, for interested county residents.
The class begins Feb. 10 and continues through March 20. The class will meet Monday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Thorntown Fire Dept.
Students will obtain field experience by riding with the Boone County EMS staff. They also will learn, among other skills, patient assessment, bleeding control, soft tissue injury management, bandaging, splinting, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke and how to handle cardiac emergencies. The class also will teach the different methodology required in pediatric, adult and senior-patient care.
“It is an opportunity to get your feet wet in pre-hospital care,” said John Merson, Witham EMS director. “And maybe you want to pursue a career as an EMT or a paramedic or even as an EMS personnel with the fire department. If this were a layperson, we get a number of people who are in supervisory positions (who) need to have first-hand knowledge in emergency care.
“It’s a challenging class, but it’s not an impossible class. It’s a good introduction to pre-hospital care and emergency care.”
The class costs $225, which includes textbooks and teaching materials. Payments must be made in full prior to the start of the class. Each student is charged a $100 non-refundable fee, and students should make checks payable to Witham Health Services. Applications must be received by Jan. 31. Class size is limited, and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more or to receive an application, contact John Merson at 317-485-8275 or [email protected]
