Reader Mail: EMT!
07
October
10/7/2008:
Want to join the EMT? Here’s a reader mail along those lines…
What do I do?
“I overheard about the EMT Training courses. I am currently 20 and I have high interests to persue in the EMT field. I am not certified for First Aid or CPR. What are the qualifications and requirements needed? “
Well…
Do you want to volunteer with the HVAC? If so, you will need to take CPR for Health Care Providers. You can preregister at http://www.hobokenems.com/page5.html if you want to wait until HVAC offers it. JCMC used to give that class; But not sure whether they still do. Classes usually cost between $60 and $100 and it comes out of pocket.
The EMT-Basic course is 110 hours in the classroom and 10 hours volunteering in a local emergency room. Completion of CPR for Health Care Providers and passing of every one of the 8 or 9 tests given during the class as well as the statewide final will be necessary to get certified as an EMT Basic. It is like taking a college course of 4 credits that includes lecture and lab. The next courses will probably begin in February, and you can usually get a list from the NJ DOH website. There is a link to it from the training webpage at hobokenems above.
The class cost about $400 a few years ago, for those who paid out of pocket, current costs may be higher. If you are an active member of a NJ volunteer ambulance corps, then the state will pay for this class.
You can apply for HVAC membership at http://www.hobokenems.com. It is, of course, hoped and expected that anyone who is accepted as a member, rides the 4 shifts a month as an observer, and passes the EMT course will continue in years to come as an active volunteer EMT still riding the 4 shifts a month.
If you has further questions, there is contact information for the training lieutenant at the link.
(Thanks to the Hoboken411 reader for providing the info!!)
October 8th 2008 - 01:13:15 |
First I would like to thank you Hoboken411 for posting this and our information. I am a member of the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corp(HVAC). Yes you are fairly close to costs of classes out of pocket even though the fees have gone up significantly over the last couple of years. I suggest to this person to go to our website that you posted and contact us for further information. If not I am in the building, located at 707 Clinton St. right by the A&P supermarket, every Wednesday from 7pm to 12midnight and I will be glad to give you an application for membership with us.
Just so everyone is aware we are the LAST ALL volunteer ambulance service in Hudson County. When we respond to a call we do not bill any patient for our service or equipment used. We rely TOTALLY on the kindness and generosity of the Hoboken residents who donate to us. Just like our members dedicate time away from their families to help people in need.
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October 8th 2008 - 06:31:42 |
EMT2417 thank you and rest of the crew for all you guys have done for this city ! To be an emt you have to have special ability’s “including strong stomach” You guys are great and keep up the good work.
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October 8th 2008 - 08:41:03 |
Agreed!
I have a few close friends that have been part of HVAC over the years. They give alot of their time (and patience).
Thank you guys for all you do.
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October 8th 2008 - 09:31:28 |
Just to throw in a shameless plug. I am also a volunteer at the ambulance corp and I really encourage anyone who has ever had any interest in joining an ambulance corp to join. For those that work during the day there are evening shifts, overnight shifts and weekend shifts. We always need more members. Our members are of all ages and of all backgrounds, we have old school hoboken members, to young profesionals, to stevens students, to dedicated individuals from surrounding NJ towns.
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October 12th 2008 - 05:35:00 |
kal-el wrote:
Thanks Kal-el. Yea we do need strong stomachs, specially when your sitting down to eat when you get called out and dinner has to wait yet again. But what WE really do need the most is the support of Hoboken residents. From the million dollar condos with NYC views to the projects with the light-rail view. The more people I see that care and help one another in the smallest “square mile” town with the biggest diversity in people, the better I feel coming in to do my part. I do not live in Hoboken but I did attend grammar school there and have family there. So I do have some roots in the city. So when you do see the ambulance rolling through your street always remember that one day the lights might be flashing and siren wailing to help You or one of yours out. (Hopefully not!)
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October 12th 2008 - 21:07:15 |
Thank you to all the volunteer EMTs in Hoboken and keep up the good work. But Hoboken needs to do more for you as our first responders. Hoboken should support volunteer EMTs with money for training and equipment AND Hoboken should have a fully staffed 24/7 professional EMT service in the community. Why is it so often at accident scenes in town there is a long wait for EMT to show, only to have a unit from Union City or Jersey City Medical Center arrive late?
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October 13th 2008 - 06:50:26 |
Double wrote:
Yes DOUBLE unfortunately there are times were we do go out of service. But have you ever received an ambulance bill? minimun range is $700 plus that’s if they do not use ANYTHING on you not even gauze. WE as volunteers do not send you that bill. The city does give us money, even though it’s never enough to cover ambulance maintenance, supplies and equipment. But we do get something from them. Just keep that in mind, not everyone in hoboken has medical insurance and most insurances do not cover the ambulance service.
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October 13th 2008 - 08:49:24 |
Also to comment on delays there two main reasons, and recently I would say the first reason is more prominant. 1) We can be out on another call or clearing from the hospital which will delay our responce (on busy shifts we try to staff 2 or 3 ambulances to ensure this doesnt happen), 2) or we can be out of service (which by the way our out of service times have dropped dramatically). We have recently also updated our mutual aide agreements with a local ambulance company to ensure that the residente of hoboken get an ambulance in a timely fashion when you call 911.
And I stress again, please consider volunteering. We always need new members.
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October 13th 2008 - 11:47:56 |
strand wrote:
“It’s great to hear that Hoboken EMS is looking for volunteers–I recently moved to Hoboken and am really looking forward to volunteering — I’m an EMT with 8 years experience. However, I applied over a month ago and have followed up many times and haven’t heard anything. Do you have any suggestions?”
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October 13th 2008 - 13:07:21 |
proh57 wrote:
New members are voted on at the meeting the first Thursday of each month, so if that passed by since you applied and you included copies of your CPR card and your EMT card with your application, then you are most likely a member.
I am not an officer, just a member, but I’ll be in the building this afternoon before 7pm and tomorrow evening after 7; if you stop by then, we can talk and I can reach out for an officer if one is not there. If you’re trying to reach an officer, I suggest stopping at the building around a 7pm shift change when there are a lot of people available.
Looking forward to meeting you!
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October 13th 2008 - 16:33:06 |
I think it is impressive that HVAC maintains that level of service for a busy city. I was a volunteer EMT in MD and very few stations were 100% volunteer and inservice almost all the time. Mt MD EMT expired so I need to figure out if I can bridge to NJ or have to start over.
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October 13th 2008 - 19:08:25 |
I think it depends partially on how long you have been expired for. If over 12 months I am rather sure you have to start from scratch.
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October 13th 2008 - 22:46:56 |
Yeah, that is what I am banking on (2+ years)
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