Firefighters at Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District are getting ready to host their first EMT course next month.
SHFAD Firefighter Paramedic Josh Marvin explained that every agency is struggling with staffing right now, and even SHFAD has identified a shortage of EMTs. As such, he was tasked with putting together a locally-held class that would make it easier for volunteers to become certified as EMTs at the national and state level.
Sheri Guerrero, director of emergency services at Umpqua Community College, said there is a nationwide shortage of pre-hospital personnel for a number of reasons, adding that two of the biggest reasons include retirements during COVID and a perception of unequal pay compared to other healthcare providers.
Julie Ryan, EMS program director at Southwestern Oregon Community College, agreed.
“I have been in EMS for thirty years and I think the pandemic of COVID is a big reason the numbers of EMTs and paramedics are down,” Ryan said. “It really changed everything. Another factor is the huge money nurses are making and many paramedics have jumped ship to nursing.”
Despite apparent staffing shortages, Chris Arbuckle, EMS program director and chair at Chemeketa Community College, believes EMT courses at Oregon colleges are at capacity. Chemeketa, he said, produces more than 240 eligible candidates a year. Chemeketa, in addition to other community colleges, provide EMT courses or satellite labs through other fire districts throughout the state.
By providing the course at SHFAD through Blue Mountain Community College (Pendleton), access is much easier for local residents, Marvin said. The nearest course is one hour away at either Lane or Chemeketa community colleges, which can be challenging for Sweet Home volunteers who would have to make the commute after getting off work.
The 10-week class at SHFAD is already capped out at 24, with half of them from Sweet Home (at least four of which are fresh out of high school). Others are coming from as far away as Cottage Grove and Idanha, and at least 20 names have been placed on the waitlist.
The course can be taken as a non-credit option to make the tuition cost more affordable. Marvin said some of the registered students are opting to take the credits as part of their prerequisite for the paramedics program, while others will do no-credit to get their EMT certification.
Marvin said SHFAD expects to continue offering the course on a yearly basis so long as there is interest from students and BMCC is willing to be the host college.
In June, Josh Victor delivered a $5,000 donation from Northern Investments to SHFAD.
“You guys have been doing such a great job as far as – literally and figuratively – putting out fires,” Victor told Chief Nick Tyler. “You guys are on top of it and we just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate you guys.”
The money will be directed specifically for scholarships to the EMT program, Chief Tyler said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Marvin said. “It’s amazing for us as a district, it’s amazing for the community, it’s amazing for our volunteers.”