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Emergency Medical Responders graduate
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Shown front row from left are Ashlee Gunter, Chase Ferrell, Anthony Johnson, Lyndon Powell, Chip Avera. Shown second row from left are DeKalb County EMS Director/Instructor Hoyte Hale, Ashley Bryant, Jerry W. Johnson, Brian Partridge, Andy Pack, Jessica Pack, Mark Stewart, and Lead Instructor Kristie Johnson.

The latest class of Emergency Medical Responders graduated July 1. The class was made up of members of Smithville Police Department, DeKalb County Fire Department, Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, Alexandria Fire Department 911 Dispatch and Rock Island-Campaign Volunteer Fire Department.

 

The program is a vital part of Emergency Medical Services at DeKalb EMS. These students, once certified, will be dispatched to different medical emergencies. They are completely volunteer, and live throughout the county, especially in the areas where EMS has a lengthy response time.

 

They are often first on scene and can provide Basic Life Support, such as CPR, stabilizing fractures and gathering vital signs before EMS arrives, which can save time and lives. The program consists of 76 hours of classroom and hands on skills practice, and requires a grade average of 80 or above. The next step for these students is to be certified through National Registry.

 

Shown front row from left are Ashlee Gunter, Chase Ferrell, Anthony Johnson, Lyndon Powell, Chip Avera. Shown second row from left are DeKalb County EMS Director/Instructor Hoyte Hale, Ashley Bryant, Jerry W. Johnson, Brian Partridge, Andy Pack, Jessica Pack, Mark Stewart, and Lead Instructor Kristie Johnson.