Business

Some Mid-Ohio Valley ambulance services looking for EMTs

PARKERSBURG -- Some Mid-Ohio Valley agencies are experiencing a shortage of EMTs, but one community is doing so well with the number of workers that they are able to help others.

All firefighters joining the Marietta Fire Department are trained to be certified as both firefighters and emergency medical technicians, with those certifications, as well as hazardous material and confined space rescue being the minimum requirements, Fire Chief C.W. Durham said.

"We're seeing a lower number in hiring tests," he said, noting it's a common issue for departments around Ohio.

Durham said the department is getting ready to send two new junior personnel they are hiring next month for training at the Ohio Fire Academy outside of Columbus. Beyond them, the department is not hiring now.

WVU Medicine Camden Clark is also experiencing a shortage of EMTs and paramedics, said Shawn Marshall, manager/paramedic and paramedic for Camden Clark Ambulance.

"We are accepting applications for both positions and have created open positions for drivers to operate our wheelchair van," he said. "Our shortage started shortly after the pandemic began."

All potential EMTs and paramedics must have state and national certification, in addition to CPR training, Marshall said.

"Drivers are taught in-house, and we assist with the application for licensure with the state," he said.

Camden Clark has not received many applications in the last few months, "compared to previous years where we have a surplus of applications," Marshall said.

"Applications can be obtained through the hospital's website, or they can stop by the station, located behind the windmill on Murdoch, and we can assist them," Marshall said.

The Camden Clark ambulance service recently completed an EMT course with assistance from West Virginia Public Service Training in which most of the class fees were paid by a state grant.

"The hospital currently offers a scholarship program to current staff to further their education in becoming a paramedic through Pierpont Community College," Marshall said. "We are hoping in the future to become a training center ourselves and offer the EMT and paramedic courses in house. We have several certified instructors now and are working on additional certifications".

In Belpre, the situation is much different.

"We're doing fine," said Shayla Greathouse, the president of the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department and Belpre EMS. "Thankfully, it doesn't affect us, which allows us to help those it does affect that are close to us."

They have been assisting in Parkersburg and Dunham Township in Washington County.

In the last 60 days, Greathouse said, they hired four EMTs and three paramedics.

Greathouse said there are two levels of training that an EMT must complete in order to become a paramedic. To become an EMT Basic, one has to take four months of class training, along with getting ride time in an ambulance and learning patient care.

The second level, EMT Advanced, Greathouse added, requires more classroom time, hospital clinicals and more ambulance ride time.

And finally, to become a paramedic, one has to have additional hours. Other than that, it is the same training as an advanced EMT.

"You can't have too much personnel," Greathouse said, adding they are always hiring.

Staff reporter Evan Bevins contributed to this story.

Larry Launstein Jr. can be reached at llaunstein@newsandsentinel.com.