11/01/2010 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • ITEM #4 - Mobile EMT 7741 LAKE DRIVE ° LINO LAKES, MN 55014 PHONE 651.784.7472 ° FAX 551.784.2427 In 2008 the Centennial Fire District became a registered training facility with the MN Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB). The purpose for becoming registered was to have our own staff teach what was needed to maintain our Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications. We are required to have at least 24 hours of continuing education in the field of medicine in order to stay current. Along with the recertification hours, there was a need to train each new hire to become an initial EMT as required to become a CFD firefighter. The initial training for the EMT program is 114 hours with a national test that is very difficult. In fact, it is said to be one of the hardest tests most have ever taken! The typical cost today for a new EMT is $1400. With the need for recertification and initial training on a regular basis, the CFD saves over $13,000 annually by providing training from our own staff. As the classes progressed into a college level training facility, we were able to open the classroom up to anyone that wanted to become a certified EMT or needed refresher training. The students have ranged from college students to long time firefighters and graduated with some of the highest test scores in the state. We are offering 4 classes a year and charge $1250 per student for the classes offered. Currently CFD staff is teaching these classes and are paid at a rate of $17.00 per hour. The presentation that will occur at Thursday's meeting is to discuss an addition to the training program that could generate even more revenue. With the "share services" theme in mind, I am proposing to go mobile and offer medical training to other agencies around our area. Not only will this help fill the gaps in the revenue shortfalls we are faced with, but it will also allow us to become known in the area as a medical training site to increase our initial EMT training attendance held at our station. I feel the time is right to move forward with this as a long time local training provider has closed down due to a health reasons. Many local agencies have had contracts with this service and are now looking for a provider. I already have commitments from several local chiefs to meet and discuss our services. If the classes and contracts continue to grow, I see this becoming a significant revenue source for us. The recent economy has pushed us to "think outside the box" to maintain services and generating revenue. I believe that is what we are doing. Though I am not able to clearly show all the classes that we may receive contracts for, I think it will be limited by the number of staff we can get to teach the classes. For 2011 we plan to offer 3 -4 initial classes and have 5 annual contracts with other agencies to start with. This project is only to generate more revenue. The focus will always remain on the mission the Centennial Fire District strives to provide on a daily basis.