I just got home from the PA State EMS Conference. Last night six folks, John Goodale, Donna Snyder, Robert Horton, John Campos, Catherine Parvensky Barwell and I met to discuss the formation of an association of Pennsylvania EMS educators. We came to a few conclusions:
1) We need to prepare for the transition from the National Standard Curricula to the National Education Standards.
2) We have a lot of skilled experienced instructors in the Commonwealth who have lots to offer.
3) We need a place to discuss problems and solutions, to share resources, to help each other be better at what we do.
4) We can create and offer programs that EMS instructors can use to improve their knowledge and skills, be more comfortable and confident when teaching, and to help insure instructors achieve and maintain competence.
5) The EMS educators in PA need to participate in the process of developing the Rules and Regulations that will follow the new EMS Act.
The ultimate goal is to help EMS educators to provide improved education to our students to ensure we graduate competent EMS practitioners that are closer to “work ready” than to being simply “entry level competent” upon graduation.
After the meeting, John Campos and I sat with Bureau of EMS Director Joseph Schmider and Dr. Douglas Kupas, Commonwealth EMS Medical Director and had an informal discussion about some of the ideas we had discussed at the meeting.
Director Schmider said that he was willing to send out a message to all certified instructors in the Commonwealth with an overview of the concepts behind the EMS Educators of Pennsylvania and an invitation for instructors to participate in the formation of the group.
Next week I will be meeting with the Executive Director of the Florida Association of EMS Educators Louis Mallory, and the President Dan Griffin, to enlist their assistance in starting our organization. Take a look at the Florida Association of EMS Educators at http://www.faemse.org/index.html.
As many have said before, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. I have no compunction against stealing, I mean utilizing, the successful methods, strategies and tactics others have used to get an EMS educators organization up and running, and continuing to run.
Now is the time for us to take action. If not now, when? If not us, who? The iron is getting hot.
Well said. With a forum to share and develop ideas and great things will emerge.
I believe this is a very good direction for the 4500 EMS Educators to take. Often times after teaching in two different regions I find that it is nice to reach back and ask how other instructors are keeping classes motivated and earning the grade.
Thank you for taking on this task, if you need assistance please feel free to contact me arhone@countyofberks.com I am willing to lend any time and talents to furthering this organization
[...] form a statewide counterpart to NAEMSE. I think this is a great step. Unfortunately, one of the initial bits of information about the group goes almost directly against my ideas about EMS: The ultimate [...]
Take action??
I wish you would take the action of removing me from your mailing list. Spam is spam wherever it comes from and your emails are spam.
What mailing list are you referring to? You are getting email from this website? I would appreciate it if you forwarded any email that you received to jomargfx@gmail.com. Thanks
I was a Guest Speaker recently at the conference..I am excited on this idea of yours. As a Instructor Please let me know how I can help
I as well like the idea, I guess my question is… how will we fit into the current framwork? We have NAEME currently, we also have PEHSC that has (or had) an education/training committee. What will be our “nitch”? I would love to be involved, what’s our next step?
I agree that this is a great first step. My hope is that through the updates for EMS Instructors and the new changes in the act we will be able to stop perpetuating bad ideas and move forward in making EMS a true career of professional and no longer just be “ambulance drivers”
What’s next?
I thought the conference was productive as I got to sit and discuss some issues as well with Joe Schmider and others.
I am excieted about the new standards but as I have complained often, we need to focus on increasing education. I was suprised to see others feeling the same way.
Also, at the conference I found out about this blogsite. I hope to it will prove productive and informative. I’m sure it will.
This is a great idea and now we can start to share best practices across the state without having to drive hours to a meeting.
To dr. exmedic.com
Training and education is what a quality EMS program should deliver. Educators need to ensure students understand why something is being done, while delivering the didactic material in a way that is easily comprehended. A large part of an EMS course is also to teach students how to do something, thus ensuring they are “employable”, meeting the minimal acceptable competencies. The education should continue for as long as the former EMS student, now practitioner, decides to continue in this profession. The agency, region, and state will play an important role in this process.
I’ve often wondered why PA didn’t have an organization like this. I applaud the founders and wish them well! Count me in!
I like the idea as well. There seems to be some areas that need improved on in the education of new or practicing EMS personnel . When I attended the NAEMSE conference here in Pittsburgh I found out how nice it was to be able to listen and learn from all parties that were involved. Not only the conference educators but all of the educators in attendence.