The 1970s were a critical phase in the EMS history, laying the foundation for the modern EMS system with the establishment of the National Registry of EMTs, improving technology and professional training with a focus on saving lives, compared to simply rapid transport to a hospital.
Nearly five decades later, rural, county advanced life support programs, like Garrett College’s Paramedic Studies program, in McHenry, Maryland, lead the way educating tomorrow’s clinicians. As the program has evolved, changes, adaptations, additions and renovations include adding an ambulance simulation lab to their classroom to make the students’ education experience as authentic as possible.
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According to Doug Beitzel, Garrett College’s program coordinator for Allied Health Programs under Continuing Education and Workforce Development, the program was using an aging donated ambulance for simulation training. “Over the years, it had mechanical issues and cost wise it was hard to keep on the road. That is why we searched for funding for the in-class simulator,” he noted.
The program has since added two simulation labs with a control room. This fall, the paramedic studies program transitioned their simulation lab into a renovated classroom, including an ambulance simulator for their high fidelity simulator (SimMan) that was purchased approximately 7 years ago.
“You teach the material, the skills. Then we do scenario-based critical thinking scenarios,” Josh Hook, lead paramedic instructor, said. “We start in our simulation room, set up as a small living room. They can treat the patient, load to the stretcher and then roll down the hallway and load into the ambulance.”
On the wall is a countdown clock that allows students to see the remaining time before they arrive at their destination, giving them time to develop a treatment plan. Using a portable radio for medical consultation with the receiving facility allows the students to complete the scenario without interruption. After the scenario is completed, instructors conduct a debrief, Hook, an alum of the college’s paramedic program, added.
The renovation and addition to the classroom cost $45,000, provided by the college, according to Beitzel.
Garrett College is the only paramedic program in the Maryland EMS System Region I, drawing students from Maryland, West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania, training nearly 200 paramedics and CRTs since its inception, many of whom stay to work locally.
“We still have some students that are volunteers. Having an affordable local program is important to training our local EMS clinicians,” Beitzel said. “While we have a small program, we are nationally accredited and meet all the requirements of larger programs.”
The program offers certificate and degree options, including on-campus housing. Beitzel said the program attracts students from out of the area because of the unique schedule and low price. If current paramedics apply for the degree, the college can give them half their degree based on their current paramedic certification. The other general education requirements can all be done online.
Beitzel, a paramedic captain with the City of Cumberland Fire Department since 2001, spent nine years as a flight paramedic for STAT MedEvac and Air Methods LifeNet 8-1 based in Hagerstown, Maryland, has been with the program since 2007, overseeing its move to the college campus in 2013.
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Program history
Cardiac rescue training in the region was initially championed by the Allegany County Heart Association, which obtained an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant in the early 1970s to train cardiac rescue technicians. Dr. Gina Gluck, an anesthesiologist at the former Sacred Heart Hospital, and Dr. Peter Halmos, a cardiologist who had immigrated to the area from Belfast, Ireland, were involved in the groundbreaking prehospital ALS training. Numerous technicians from Sacred Heart and Cumberland Memorial hospitals provided specialized skills training with cardiac monitoring and IV techniques. The first primary instructor was Calvin Tracy, an employee of Sacred Heart Hospital.
In the early 1990s, the MIEMSS Region 1 Coordinator, Dave Ramsey, met with Garrett College Dean of Continuing Education, Lowell Bender, to discuss the need for a paramedic program. The first paramedic class was offered in 1993. The Garrett College Paramedic Program become Maryland accredited in March 2004.
As a result of curriculum requirements, the training became a 2-year program in 2004. The first year included the CRT training, followed by a CRT-paramedic bridge course the second year. At that time, the class was being held in the upstairs training room of Frostburg Ambulance. Garrett College pursued grant funding from ARC, which allowed the construction of a new classroom and simulation labs at the College’s Career Technology Training Center, located in Accident, Maryland. The program moved to that location in the fall of 2013.
The program receives funding from Allegany and Garrett counties and MIEMSS for its operating budget, in addition to student tuition and fees. The additional funding helps to keep the training affordable for those who intend to volunteer, as well as those seeking the paramedic career path.
There are three hospitals in the region which provide clinical opportunities to students. Clinical experiences include surgery, emergency room, respiratory, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, intensive care and behavioral health. Further, the hospitals have provided preceptors in each clinical area. Garrett College’s Paramedic program was the first in the state, west of Baltimore, to gain access to the OR for student clinical experiences. In addition, the City of Cumberland Fire Department, career county agencies in Allegany and Garrett counties, and local volunteer community rescue squads with approved personnel serve as preceptors and provide field internships for paramedic students.
Program Director James Koon, who helped launch the program, assumed the role in 2011 after serving 13 years of service as the program coordinator. In August 2007, Doug Beitzel was hired part-time as the coordinator.
The program staff and leadership of the college have remained committed to continuous improvement over the past 30 years. Graduates of the program serve as career paramedics, flight paramedics, in state leadership and as travel paramedics. Many former students have continued their education and returned to teach in the program. Many of the paramedic program staff members at Garrett College are graduates of the program, including William Seifarth, executive director of the NREMT.
