Accreditation Woes

[VentMedic]

http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/education...ication-changes

Mich. EMS personnel brace for major certification changes

By Emilia Askari

Detroit Free Press

DETROIT — The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians in 2013 no longer will certify paramedics who graduate from unaccredited training programs. It's a move the Columbus, Ohio-based registry — which certifies emergency medical service personnel nationwide — says will improve the quality of emergency responders across the country.

Only two of the 42 EMS training programs in Michigan have the required accreditation — those operated by Lansing Community College and Huron Valley Ambulance in Ann Arbor.

Last month, Bloomfield Township became one of the first municipalities in the state to pass a resolution expressing concern over the proposed changes. Also in July, the Southeast Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs drafted a proposed resolution in opposition to the new education standards.

Fire chiefs fear that unaccredited programs — most based at fire stations — will close when the new rules take effect, leaving only longer and more expensive training programs. There are 29,000 emergency medical service personnel in the state. All must receive additional training every few years.

"There already is a shortage of EMS responders in Michigan," said Jon Hockman of Livonia, vice president of the Michigan Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. "Yet we're getting this rammed down our throats. ... These new standards would create an even larger shortage. That means higher risk to the public."

Michigan emergency medical service personnel must pass the same certification examinations as those attending programs accredited by the Texas-based Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions.

But proponents say paramedic accreditation is needed to create uniform minimum training requirements from state to state. They argue EMS training programs will adjust to the new standards and doubt the number of people training as emergency responders will drop significantly.

Furthermore, proponents of the changes point out that all other allied health professionals, such as doctors and nurses, have to go through accredited training programs to get certified.

"All we're trying to do is produce credible paramedics across the nation," said Bill Brown, executive director of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, which proposed the changes based on recommendations in several federal reports. "We're saying, 'You've got to do this for the betterment of the people in your state.'

"Am I going to say that we're going to save millions of lives because we're going to go through this more rigorous training? No. But this is a part of getting there. It creates a culture of excellence."

Most states already use the organization's test to certify paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

Firehouse-based programs in Michigan are inspected and monitored by state EMS officials, but many would not meet national accreditation standards, fire officials say.

For example, many of the unaccredited programs do not have extensive libraries or offer career counseling — which are required for accreditation. Adding those features and going through the accreditation process could cost up to $30,000, fire officials say. The process includes periodic program inspections by out-of-state emergency response professionals.

"We would need a library, counseling, on-site inspections," said Ron Spears, director of a popular EMS training program based at the Waterford Fire Department.

"Our school would cease to operate. We have a very successful pass rate on the certification exam. Many fire departments send their people to us. It would just be a shame."

http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/education...ication-changes

[CBEMT]

"Waaaaaaaaa!"

[reaper]

Lets hope the NREMT does not give in to all the whiners that will be coming out of the woodwork!

[Ridryder 911]

Wow! The Chiefs are really upset about a program that requires applicants to be based upon above the neck. Too bad they are such activists scare tactics instead of the real truth. How shameful and embarrassing it would be to be a fire fighter or chief to have my representation making excuses instead preparing and doing the right thing.

R/r 911

[itku2er]

Well I am not a medic yet but I have to agree I think it makes more sense to have the accrediation for the programs than just run do them. Its kind of like nursing your school has to be accredited or you cant sit for your boards. But they are giving enough time for the programs to get accrediated, but there is always some that will rock this boat and push it as far as they can to see if they can beat the NR at its own game.

[VentMedic]

There some states, such as Florida, that still have their own state exam. Because of this and Florida's strong FF presence, the medic mills are safe. There will also be a petition or some legal position statement that will be presented as the deadline nears to have an extension granted that could be from 3 - 5 years with the option of another extension after that.

Do the FDs not have any confidence in the learning ability of their FFs to be required to adhere to standards? In Florida, $30K is what it costs to maintain the potted plants at one station. Surely they could divert some of that money to meet the requirements.

[Just Plain Ruff]

I think what the fire chiefs are saying "YOU can't fix stupid so lets block one of the most important and good things the NREMT has done in 20 years"

The chiefs don't believe what spock said "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one" but they believe that it's the few and the one that they have to protect.

It's time that the IAFF or whatever governing body represents them that it's time for change and this is the right step to take.

[rock_shoes]

Sounds like the NREMT has taken a giant leap in the right direction. It can only be hoped that they won't back off and bow to the whims of those who want quick cheap programs. Short, cheap programs produce medics who are short on knowledge and incapable of critical thinking.

[Arizonaffcep]

It surprises me how many people are scared of this...Granted, $11k is a lot of money (although it's spread out over 5 yrs), and there is a large debate in Arizona's Dept. of Health Services EMS div. to decide if the state will go along with this or not. One of the things my wife and I have agreed upon with our program, is regardless of if the state mandates it or not, we will be accredited within 2 years (which is before the needed time frame).

[spenac]

It is funny how strongly fire is fighting this advancement. Honestly it is easier to get than all are claiming. Some private schools are now working with colleges that do not have EMS programs to join forces. Yes there will be changes to structure but having access to the colleges/universitys resources will fulfill many of the requirements. Yes some of the lesser quality schools will disappear completely because no one will allow them to join forces. Other quality private schools understand that with the coming changes they will be able to charge more for the quality education so they just see this as an investment for future profits.

Sadly though this will get challenged and get changed. EMS will not improve it will stay the same or even get worse. The few that want improvement will lose to the Fire services that want cheap and quick so they can gather more money from communitys for new fire trucks. EMS will continue to be the unwanted step child that barely meets the minimum.