Oriental needs more First Responders. And it just became a bit easier to become a First Responder, now that some of the course is being offered online starting August 7th.
When you call 911 in the Oriental area, the First Responders are the ones who will likely be first on the scene, giving initial medical care before the Pamlico Rescue squad arrives from Bayboro. They did that 212 times last year.
Here in the Southeast Pamlico Fire District, the First Responders are an important part of life -- and sustaining life. That's because we're at least a half hour drive from the hospital in New Bern. And sometimes, the ambulance crew from Pamilco Rescue in Bayboro, may be tied up on another call, meaning a further delay.
There are only a handful of First Responders right now. About eight. That's a small group with a pretty big task.
They need more.
That's where you come in.
Here's the deal. To become an EMT First Responder, there's training you take at Pamlico Community College. The Fire District will pay for the course that runs from August to November.
And for the first time, you can do a good deal of the course work online so you can work at your own pace.
There will still be the very necessary hands-on training for CPR, and learning now to administer oxygen, clear airways, apply bandages and splints.
But the idea of offering much of the textbook work online
may be especially good news for those who already have medical training and in the past may have been put off by state requirements about EMT training.
The state rules have requires all would-be EMTs to take the emergency medicine course regardless of previous medical training. The rationale has been that emergency medicine does have some specialized aspects, namely treating people in less than optimal conditions.
But this requirement in the past meant that even if someone had spent years as a nurse, they still had to sit through basics classes going over a lot of material they already knew.
It's hoped that this new online EMT class, allowing people to work at their own pace, may draw more people -- including medical professionals -- to become EMTs and First Responders in Oriental.
And this comes at a time when the Oriental and the Southeastern Pamlico Fire District really could use the extra hands pitching in for emergency medical care.
You may hear people say that Oriental should have its own ambulance. It makes sense in theory, that if we had an ambulance stationed here, patients wouldn't have to wait for an ambulance to arrive from Pamlico Rescue's headquarters in Bayboro, or if that is out on a call, for an ambulance to arrive from Craven.
The thing is, an ambluance can't run on its own. You can't put it on automatic pilot to get to the hospital. You would still need EMTs to run it according to state law.
John Knauth who heads the First Responders, says that in order to make an Oriental-based ambulance work, there would have to be, "at minimum ten to fifteen able-bodied souls."
The First Responders currently have about 8 in their ranks.
What's more, John Knauth notes that some of those eight are not always available. Two are in their 70s and can't do the heavy lifting (literally, the heavy lifting) of putting patients in to ambulances. One may be moving away soon.
They need more EMTs in general. And if we are to ever get an ambulance service going here, John Knauth says, "we'd need a bunch of younger people."
Whatever your age, the First Responders in Oriental need more people trained to take care of emergency medical situations. The training just got easier. If you are looking to be a volunteer at something that can truly make a difference between life and death, look no further.
Also, there is talk of starting a First Responders unit out of the Florence-Whortonsville Fire District. So, if you live there and want to become an EMT, this is your opportunity as well.
Classes start in August at Pamlico Community College. Orientation class is Monday August 7 from 6-8pm. Dale Holadia at PCC teaches the course and you can reach him at dholadia@pamlicocc.edu or 249-1851 ext 3044 . Or contact John Knauth at 249-3131 johnknauth@yahoo.com.
