What is an EMT?
An Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B) is trained in practical emergency medical knowledge and skills that can be deployed within a rapid time frame. Patient treatment guidelines are described in protocols following both national guidelines and local medical policies. The goal of EMT intervention is to rapidly evaluate a patient's condition and to maintain a patient's airway, breathing and circulation by CPR and defibrillation. In addition, EMT-B intervention aims to control external bleeding, prevent shock, and prevent further injury or disability by immobilizing potential spinal or other bone fractures, while expediting the safe and timely transport of the patient to a hospital emergency department for definitive medical care.
EMT-B courses generally cover 110 hours of didactic and practical education. An EMT-B must have completed an eligible EMT class. be sponsored by an acredited agency, and complete annual refreshers known as Continuing Basic Training (CBT) to stay certified. In addition, all EMT-Bs must maintain a professional level CPR certification.
There is an EMT-B class once or twice a year provided by King County that KCSARA Members are eligible to attend. There is no tuition for this class, but personal supplies must be provided for by the student. To submit your name for inclusion in this class requires permission by your unit. Once submitted, you will be allowed to attend the class on the basis of availability. Fire Department personnel have priority over police and search and rescue. Individual KCSARA units may apply additional limitations on which names are submitted.
Last updated on July 05, 2007.