By James Mayse
Messenger-Inquirer
OWENSBORO, Ky. — The city of Owensboro, Daviess Fiscal Court and the city of Henderson are partnering to create an Emergency Medical Technician certificate program, in conjunction with Owensboro Community & Technical College.
Tuesday evening, city commissioners approved an agreement to create a joint EMT program. City Fire Chief James Howard said the first group of new firefighters will begin the class in January.
The program will allow new firefighters in need of EMT training to go through EMT education at OCTC, with the program taught by certified trainers from the departments. The certificates will be issued by OCTC.
The class will be open only to OFD, Daviess County Fire Department and Henderson Fire Department members.
“It’s modeled after what we did successfully with the paramedic program,” Howard said Tuesday. “It’s beneficial to all three agencies that require firefighters as EMTs.”
The city and county fire departments and American Medical Response created an accelerated paramedic class in 2022.
“We are starting out with something we already have a strong template for,” Howard said.
Newly hired firefighters are required to receive their EMT certificate before they finish their probationary period. While the departments can hold regular trainings for current EMTs, the departments cannot create a new program unless they are in conjunction with the state or an institute of higher education.
The program will help the fire department reach a broader pool of applicants, Howard said.
“If you only have candidates who are already EMTs, it can limit your hiring pool,” Howard said.
Howard said the departments will run the class when needed, such as when new recruit classes are hired.
“I’m expecting it to be successful and repeatable,” Howard said.
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