New EMT program provides students with real-world experience, tackles first responder shortage

MILFORD, DEL.- “We just couldn’t keep up with the number of EMT’s and firefighters that we need in order to fill these open spots,” Delaware State Fire School Senior Instructor of EMS Programs Patricia Fox said.

The Delaware State Fire School taking a unique approach to fulfill that need. They’re partnering with local school districts statewide to develop EMT programs. “When they graduate high school and our program, they will 100% walk out into the adult workforce and have a job,” Fox said.

The newest edition will be launched at Milford High School.

The program includes more than 150 hours of classroom learning and real-world experience alongside local fire companies for patient contacts. “They’ll go out, ride the ambulance, take care of patients and transport them to the hospital, and comfort the families. They’ll really be able to see just what we do,” Fox said.

Carlisle Fire Company Chief Shawn Hinton says the program will be a necessity to grow the current workforce.  He says they’re seeing an increased call volume and not enough manpower. “Right now, I believe we’re at 378 calls for this year alone. Last year we ran over 740,” Hinton said.

Just last year, Hinton tells 47ABC his department did nearly 4,000 thousand ambulance runs without the labor needed. “With that comes recycling staff, burnout rates, and the list just goes on,” Hinton said.

Fox says this could also be a gateway for students hoping to further their medical careers. “This is their steppingstone to become a paramedic, any type of nursing assistant, a PA, even a doctor or a nurse,” Fox said.

Once they graduate, students will then go to the Delaware fire school in dover for their National Registry skills test for certification and will be able to go anywhere across the U.S. to get a job.

The Delaware State Fire School says interested school districts can apply for grant funding from the Department of Education.

Milford High School will welcome their first students into the program this fall.