Oregon State Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) has organized a meeting with the leaders of Blue Mountain Community College and Columbia Gorge Community College to discuss the growing crisis with EMS Services in the area.
The two community colleges are the primary institutions in the region that provide training and testing for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
Gilliam County and Wheeler County are not in tax-paying districts for community colleges in Oregon, and access to training for EMS licensure has been a barrier.
After the Fossil Ambulance Service was suspended in July, there has been growing concern that volunteers are dwindling in several communities and that EMS services are struggling nationwide.
Recently, EMS services in Milton Freewater were suspended when the EMS Ambulatory crew went on strike.
In towns such as Fossil, Spray, and Arlington – EMS volunteers and paid staff are struggling to recruit new EMTs to join their teams.
Representative Smith’s meeting with the community colleges will focus on the training requirements for EMR and EMT classes and will explore the possibility of organizing classes in the communities and other measures to reduce barriers to enrollment and licensure. The Times-Journal will provide an update next week.
Oregon State Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner) has organized a meeting with the leaders of Blue Mountain Community College and Columbia Gorge Community College to discuss the growing crisis with EMS Services in the area.
The two community colleges are the primary institutions in the region that provide training and testing for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
Gilliam County and Wheeler County are not in tax-paying districts for community colleges in Oregon, and access to training for EMS licensure has been a barrier.
After the Fossil Ambulance Service was suspended in July, there has been growing concern that volunteers are dwindling in several communities and that EMS services are struggling nationwide.
Recently, EMS services in Milton Freewater were suspended when the EMS Ambulatory crew went on strike.
In towns such as Fossil, Spray, and Arlington – EMS volunteers and paid staff are struggling to recruit new EMTs to join their teams.
Representative Smith’s meeting with the community colleges will focus on the training requirements for EMR and EMT classes and will explore the possibility of organizing classes in the communities and other measures to reduce barriers to enrollment and licensure. The Times-Journal will provide an update next week.
Reader Comments(0)