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Show Letters To The Editor Support EMT's Editor, News This past weekend at the Panguitch High School the first session of the first ever EMT course In Garfield County was held. Partly because of organizational problems and uncertainty by the citizens as to what EMT training means, this first weekend session was the most poorly attended in the state since EMT's inception In 1973. Many potential course participants were disappointed by the time of the year that this course was offered conflicting with seasonal work, fishing trips, and business. However, Garfield County was lucky to get the course at all so hopefully, some sacrifice might be made for the remainder of the course by concerned citizens with long term interest in their medical care system. EMT stands for Emergency Medical Techician and is the official title earned after 60 hours of study, demonstrations, slides, and talks by EMT instructors and physicians. An examination if passed at the completion of the course qualifies one for the national registry in operation of ambulances for life support. Most people may be familiar with "Emergency" TV series which features EMT's who have progressed through certain advanced courses: EMT instructor, EMT advanced and paramedic. A simple comparison with neighboring counties points up how a large rural county like Garfield is lagging behind in this vital area of medical services. For example, Piute County has 12 EMT's and 2 EMT instructors; Sevier County has more than 70 EMT's and 10 EMT instructors; Cedar City, St. George and Beaver have all had this course previously with greater than 40 people attending. Amazingly Garfield County in spite of the well-developed ambulance and emrgency systems around it has only 2 known EMT's both park service employees.. This is a very competitive program and there is a 2-3 year waiting list for this course so unless Garfield County residents take advantage now the cause of up-to-date Emergency Services may be set back at least that long. Although most of you missed last weekend's session, you i because Dr's. Bezek because Doctors Bezek. and Cavanagh and the instructor! will have a make up session. For those interested 4 college credits can be obtained. There is a $30 tuition charge which the county commission in almost all other counties has sub sidized. By paying tuition these county commissions demonstrated their committment to their citizens volunteering of their time to 1 take this vital training. The course hours are Friday nights 6-10 and Saturdays 8-noon and ! 5. The course will be held every weekend at those times except ' Memorial Day-Fishing Opener May 28-31. The final exam will be the last weekend in June. Federal grants under the EMS Act of 1973 for obtaining ambulances of the quality of Piute's and Sevier's are available. When application is made for an ambulance at least 8 EMT's per ambulance application are necessary before consideration is even given. With only 7 Garfield County people present at last weeken's sessions, hope for even an application is dim. The areas that specifically demand EMT participation and utimately new ambulances are Bryce Valley and Escalante far enough away from the nearest hospital that well-trained EMT's could definitely make the difference between life and death in many medical and surgical conditions. Any citizen, younger or older, rancher, recent US graduate, teacher, businessman all can be EMT's. The physicians of your county strongly support EMT training and ultimately aquisition of an up-to-date ambulance and emergency communications system. This is an exciting opportunity to give some of yourself for the community and s get something in return. i If yi are interested, the i second weekend session begins this Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Panguitch High School. If you have questions or would like application blanks they can be picked up at the Panguitch - Clinic (676-8842) or at the High School on Friday night. After this weekend the course will have to be closed to any new students. Please give this due consideration.. Stanley J. Bezek, Jr. M.D. |