This year's EMT-Basic class in Pocahontas County will begin Tuesday, August 23. This is the regular 128-hour course required by the state of West Virginia for ambulance medical personnel. The class qualifies graduates to be personnel in "basic life support" ambulances.

It is the required base for more advanced EMS training and jobs, plus it is a good beginning for anyone interested in pursuing other training in healthcare.

Pocahontas County EMTs have gone on to become paramedics, nurses, flight medics, radiologic technologists and even physicians.

Official registration will be at the first class meeting. There is no maximum number of students, and you do not have to be a member of an ambulance squad to take the course. The complete schedule, books and other required material will be available at that first class.

Classes are planned for Tuesday and either Wednesaday and/or Thursday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Education Center at NRAO. There will be no classes on Fridays or weekends, and there will be no classes during the week of Thanksgiving. This schedule allows the class to end in early December.

Tuition for the EMT-B class is $150; books and other materials will be approximately $110. This class will use the Brady Worktext which has been used successfully the past four years. Squads will often pay these expenses either up front or reimburse students at the end of the class. Check with your local squad.

Portions of the class can be used to meet the refresher requirements for current EMTs to remain licensed. The detailed class schedule available on August 23 will list which class nights fulfill recertification requirements. The only charge for using this as a refresher class is $75 for anyone taking 20 hours or more.
No pre-registration is required, but it would be helpful to know how many students are planning to attend so there will be enough books and supplies.

For more information, contact Janet Ghigo, 304-456-4893 or janetgo@frontiernet.net