Fire & EMS Training

EMS Training

Education standards for EMS providers are mandated by the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services and are based on national curriculums produced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic programs provide for a gradual increase in the complex depth and comprehensive breadth of EMS knowledge for the student. An individual may begin at either the Emergency Medical Responder or Emergency Medical Technician level. Each higher-level program reinforces basic skills and adds specific additional lifesaving techniques.

Since the inception of the first Emergency Medical Technician course in 1971, each of these programs have been developed and are constantly evaluated to keep up with the rapid evolving field of pre-hospital care.

• Emergency Medical Responder / First Responder - Minimum training, 63-hours
• Emergency Medical Technician - Minimum training, 154-hours
• EMT-Enhanced - Minimum training, EMT plus 150 hours
• Intermediate – Minimum training, EMT plus 340-hours
• Paramedic – Minimum training, Intermediate plus 917-hours

Fire Training

Fire Service education standards are mandated by the Department of Fire Programs and are based on the standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Examples of these courses are listed below:

• NFPA 1001 - Firefighter 1 and 2
• NFPA 1002 - Driver Pump Operator
• NFPA 1002 - Driver Arial Operator
• NFPA 1020 - Fire Officer 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
• NFPA 1041 - Fire Instructor 1, 2, and 3