Spots still available for local EMT Class to start in January
NICC to offer EMT Class locally ... NICC will be offering a face-to-face EMT Class in Waukon beginning in January. This class is not offered locally each year, so the fact it will be held in Waukon is a convenience for those wishing to take the course with little travel time. Postville EMT, Randy Plaht, pictured above at right, has been very dedicated to this volunteer role for over 30 years. His daughter, Katelyn Peterson, pictured above at left, followed in his footsteps. They are pictured above with the Postville ambulance. Submitted photo.
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) will be offering a face-to-face EMT Class in Waukon beginning in January. This class is not offered locally each year, so the fact it will be held in Waukon is a convenience for those wishing to take the course with little travel time. This 138-hour course will conclude in May. Registration for the class must be completed prior to the orientation night January 8.
Postville EMT Randy Plaht has been very dedicated to this volunteer role for over 30 years, and his daughter, Katelyn Peterson, followed in his footsteps.
“I have seen a lot of things in the last 34 years as an EMT. I got into it because I knew there was a need,” explains Randy. “I first took the first responder course and after completing that, I stepped it up and took the EMT course to help people even more, and I continue to stick with it. We are down to a small handful of people and could use more help. With this EMT class coming up, we hope to get some signed up.”
His daughter, Katelyn, adds, “I became an EMT because I always had an interest in the medical field since I was young. After moving back to Postville a few years ago, I wanted to help out my community more and that’s when I ended up taking the class. I do it to help people in need, day or night, no matter what time.”
The number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in this area has dwindled over the years as licensed EMTs have retired. This EMT class prepares the students to provide pre-hospital assessment and care for patients of all ages with a variety of medical conditions and traumatic injuries. Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.
Enthusiastic, willing volunteers wanting to truly help people are needed to fill this class. The class will meet two nights per week, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6-10 p.m. and clinicals will be held in person. Students who successfully complete this class and the certification examination will be able to volunteer on their own community’s ambulance service or rescue squad, as well as be prepared for careers in emergency services.
For more information, contact Jacob Dougherty, Paramedic, EMS Manager, or Cheryl Livingston, Paramedic, Class Instructor, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411. Registration information can be found at:
https://nicc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&in...
