BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Inez Volunteer Fire Department has worked diligently through the years to build an EMT training course and facility that would offer the best instruction possible and state-of-the-art equipment that would rival larger programs in well-populated cities and even exceed that of a few local colleges and universities. Hard work and continued dedication have finally paid off, and the EMT programs now offered in Inez are second to none and are attracting attention from students from several states.
In 2017, the IVFD recognized a need in the county for emergency medical technician training, as those attending class at the time had to drive to other areas. The lack of a local class deterred many from being able to complete the course, especially those who worked full time.
Brian “Kirby” Preece, who has been involved with the Inez department since 1991 and has served as their training officer since 1997, headed up the effort to develop a program unavailable anywhere in the neighboring counties.
The fire department now offers not only an EMT-B (basic) course but also conducts an AEMT (advanced) course that is a step-down certification from being a paramedic. You must hold a valid EMT-B license in good standing before applying for the advanced training class. Each course runs 14-15 weeks, depending on holidays.
Preece is the program coordinator and chief instructor and is assisted by Nick Endicott, who serves as Martin County’s 911 director, and P.D. Conley, who is employed as an educator with the Health-Net program.
“We offer hybrid classes; we were actually doing these online and allowing learn-from-home classes before the COVID pandemic even occurred,” explained Preece. “The way the classes work is that you do the book learning portion of the classes online, but you’re required to attend three sets of weekend classes that are spaced out evenly during the course, with those concentrating on cardiology, pharmacology and the final study event and review before taking the national registry exam.”
According to Preece, once a student achieves a passing score on the national registry exam, they then apply for a license in the state where they choose to work.
To qualify for the EMT-B course, you must turn 18 before the testing date, be a high school graduate or have your GED, be of good moral standing and have no felony convictions. There will be other requirements issued by individual states in which you choose to work, including passing a background check and having a clean driving record. Anyone with more than one DUI conviction may find themselves ineligible for hire.
The new location of the EMT learning center is in the rear portion of the 180 E. Main Street building that formerly housed the Martin County Public Library. The space allows for classrooms, a training room, a kitchen/break room and restroom facilities. Inside the training room where students practice and perfect their hands-on skills, you will find two top-of-the-line Life Cast mannequins on loan from the East Kentucky Healthcare Coalition that are more lifelike than students imagine possible until they begin that portion of the instruction.
“The adult mannequin, which we named Louie, is set up with electronic equipment and would have cost us in the vicinity of $33,000 if we would have purchased it on our own,” said Preece. “The juvenile mannequin, which simulates a 7-year-old child, has a price tag of $12,000. We also have another on loan that is valued at $20,000, plus five others that we use to teach specific techniques and procedures.
“Louie is the most advanced of all our mannequins, and we use him to teach intubation, chest decompression, starting IVs and numerous other techniques that EMTs may encounter in the field. Using these mannequins allows our training to be taken to an advanced level like never before. We currently have students spending the duration of the 14-week course in the county and have traveled from as far away as Louisville and Illinois, and one is from Georgia.”
Preece explained that those who successfully complete and pass the AEMT course will be licensed to start IVs, push meds, administer pain medication in some cases, and give life-saving Dextrose to diabetic patients with dangerously low blood sugar. Before Kentucky and other states recognized the AEMT certification, only a licensed paramedic could perform these procedures.
Before each EMT student reaches the conclusion of the 14-week course, those in the basic program must complete 10 ride-time hours on actual ambulance calls, and those in the advanced class must have 20 to their credit. Preece lists several ambulance services in Kentucky and neighboring states participating in the ride-time program.
“We all hear of the shortage of emergency medical technicians in Kentucky, and for the most part, across the entire country,” stated Preece. “There’s never been a better time for anyone with the desire and the heart to help others choose this field as their new career path. Most agencies pay somewhere in the vicinity of $14 to start for an EMT-B, and it’s also a good choice for part-time work for college students since most ambulance services will let you work a 24-hour shift and be off the remainder of the week to accommodate those who take classes.”
The EMT-B course costs $900, and that of the AEMT class is $2,500. To make the cost manageable for as many as possible, the instructors accept half the cost of tuition when the student registers. Students can establish a payment plan that must be paid in full before graduating and taking the national registry exam.
The next set of EMT classes will begin after the first of the year. Preece encourages anyone interested to sign up as soon as possible since the class size is typically limited to 15 students in each program.
In addition to the EMT classes, the fire department personnel also offer first aid and CPR classes, among others.
For additional information, visit www.inezfirerescue.com or call the fire department at 606-298-5925.
