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To become a Weston EMT you do not need any prior medical knowledge. What you do need is a commitment to help others, possibly save a life and to take this knowledge with you throughout the rest of your life.
Understand the commitment is a big one but very rewarding. The following will explain the requirements and process you would follow to become an active Weston EMT. It is not written to discourage anyone from joining our all volunteer squad but to instill the sense of dedication of service and professionalism by which we practice, with our promise to help to the best of our abilities and training all who use our service
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Once you read this document your first step is complete; understanding the application process, the class course requirements and some of the basic details of this commitment.
To become an EMT you must be at least 18 years of age to apply. There are no upper age limits. You must be able to pass a physical.
The first step in applying is to contact Giselle Vogel; head of EMS Membership. She can be reached by e-mail at gisellevogel@aol.com or at home at 203-227-9127. Giselle will review the requirements and any questions about EMS. If you and Giselle agree, she will then set up a personal interview with you and the Weston Executive Committee. This interview is your chance to ask questions of the committee about EMS and the Committee to meet you and see if EMS will be a “good fit.”
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After the interview and prior to the commencement of class those interested must submit all elements of the written application to Giselle Vogel, 257 Lyons Plains Road, Weston, CT 06883. The application paperwork should be downloaded from this site, Click here for application paperwork It is self-explanatory. It will include a police background check, fingerprinting, personal information, 3 letters of recommendation and a letter of good conduct from the police. To reiterate, all these papers need to be directly mailed to Giselle.
The class, which is free, takes place in Weston. It covers CPR along with a rigorous syllabus, runs for approximately six months, two evenings per week, three hours each evening. The course is 140 hours of your time plus an additional 10 hours of service in the Norwalk Hospital Emergency Room, and extra hours for practice of skills and adjunctive certification (i.e. defibrillation and MVA extrication).
There is a minimum test grade requirement by our Training Officers to pass the EMT B course. Training follows The National Standards of Emergency Care protocol. Your fellow volunteers will support you in your studies.
Following the completion of the class, you must pass a State of Connecticut certification exam which covers both your written and practical skills, and requires a minimum test grade in both areas to pass.
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The course will teach you all you need to know to be certified as an EMT-B. That is a basic EMT. Our squad is all certified to this level of expertise. You are a professional. Trained to treat those in emergent situations, get them to a hospital in a timely manner. We do this while maintaining our patient’s integrity and confidentiality. These are primary elements of our care and treatment of all patients. We are a small community, treating and caring for our own. Seeing and being with them at times when they are most vulnerable. Confidentiality is mandatory. We take our work seriously and cannot stress how important it is to maintain this level of treatment. As an EMT you and your family must understand and respect this commitment. You can not talk about calls or treatments that take place with friends, family or even other EMTs not on your call. It is imperative that you understand these commitments and the following prior to applying for consideration.
Once you have passed your class, tests and physical, you will be scheduled as a Weston EMT. You will never be sent out on a call by yourself. Not to worry. Our first priority is the safety and care of our squad. You will always be with other EMTs with more experience, until you feel comfortable responding on your own. Our crews are made up of at least 3 members. For one year you will be a probationary member. During this time, your duties are exactly those of a regular member in terms of commitment. At the end of your probationary period you are then voted in as a full EMT and qualify for our special insurance rates and other EMS perks. Your additional requirements include meetings and drills on the first and third Monday of every month beginning at 8 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectfully. You will be required to attend at least 7 monthly organizational meetings and 7 full squad drills per year. Ongoing practice, maintenance of your certification and updates on procedures are covered in these meetings and drills.
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In addition to this, you must be available to be "on call" 4 nights per month from the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and/or day shifts, available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Day shifts can be broken up into 3 hour blocks. If your full shift cannot be covered, it is up to you to find a replacement within our squad. The minimum requirement is 48 hours per month of “on duty” scheduled time. We are a 24/7 squad. We have our beepers on us at all times, and will cover calls when we are in town and available. This does not mean you have to respond at all times, it does mean we intend to have our town covered at all times. Unlike other squads, you do not have to sit at the station during your shifts; you can be at home, or anywhere within Weston borders. In addition to your 48 hours monthly of scheduled duty you must commit to at least 2 “special events” per year i.e. sports squad, town races, Memorial Day Fair, 4th of July Fireworks, etc., which require additional EMS “stand-by” coverage.
You will be provided a ‘jump kit’ of EMS medical equipment, making it possible to perform your duties at any given time. Because of your training you will know how to use each item in this bag as well as all equipment on the ambulance. All EMS clothing is provided to you and an unlimited number of disposable gloves await you. You will have a two-way radio for communications with dispatch and your fellow volunteers while on duty. Last but not least, we will train you to be a qualified ambulance driver.
The cost for all is simply your dedication, sense of commitment to your fellow members and the desire to serve the people in the Town of Weston.
Helping your neighbor in a time of need then seeing them healthy, happy and doing well, is an experience you will not forget. We hope this entices you to consider one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities available in our community. We would welcome the help, as would Weston. If interested, call Giselle who would be happy to talk to you further and set up an interview.
Enrich yourself. Enrich your community.
Join Weston EMS.
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