By Kevin Doherty,
The Sentinel and Enterprise
ASHBURNHAM, Mass. — Fluffy, Flash, Shades and Gladiator are just a handful of the nicknames that have been given out to EMT trainees at the Ashburnham Public Safety Building during the past two years.
Whether it’s the family-style atmosphere or the cramming session the night before the big practical test, something is working, according to Karen and Robert Plante, founders of the Ashburnham EMT training program.
With an average pass rate of 94 percent, the EMT certification class is a clear success in the community, said Karen Plante, instructor coordinator for the program and Ashburnham EMT. Overall, EMT certification programs in the state have a pass rating of 61.5 percent.
Certified by the state in 2008, Ashburnham emergency instructors will begin teaching their fifth EMT certification class this September, in what they call a “win-win” situation for the town.
“Originally, we decided to first start the certification classes to add more EMTs to the department,” said Karen Plant. “Also, starting during a tough economic time, this has been a great fundraiser for the Ashburnham Fire Department. Every time you open the paper you see budget cuts, so this helps us purchase things for the Department without using tax dollars.”
Instructor Coordinator and town Firefighter/EMT Robert Plante said the program has trained 64 EMTs from across North Central Massachusetts while simultaneously raising money for the town’s Firefighters Association and the Gordon Erickson Fire and Rescue Fund.
“Over the past couple of years, the two funds have given the Fire Department around $115,000 worth of equipment. Purchases range from recently bought thermal cameras to clothing,” he said. “In these two past years that have been bleak economically, we personally know of several trainees that have gone on to get jobs at MedStar and town fire departments in Ashby, Orange and Lunenburg.”
Ashburnham Fire Chief Paul Zbikowski said the program has the full backing of the fire department.
“They do a great job with this program,” he said. “They help raise money for the department while training people in the community. It’s important work.”
In the midst of a statewide EMT recertification scandal, in which officials would submit falsified documents to state officials stating a trainee had been to classes, when he or she hadn’t, Karen Plante said the Ashburnham program is taking no chances.
“We make everyone sign the attendance sheet on their way out of the classroom,” she said while looking around at the empty chairs in the training facility. “We don’t fudge the facts. I’ve been doing this for 19 years and I don’t want to lose it.”
To pass the EMT certification course, trainees must attend 158 hours of classes, pass a written exam and demonstrate their skills in a practical exam.
EMTs are skilled in basic emergency techniques, including initial assessment for trauma victims, broken bone splinting, CPR, defibrillator use and spine protection following an accident or injury.
Designed to run around a normal 40-hour-a-week job, the classes at the Public Safety Building traditionally run from 6-10 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for about three months.
Copyright 2010 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Mid-States Newspapers, Inc.