CD EMT

Leo Demidov

Any CD menbers thinking of doing EMT training, its a six month programme.

There are talks of a contract to ensure you dont do a runner like some of the last group.

Does anybody have any information or opinions. I'd personally prefer to put in the hours in a more intensive format like the private training companies.

It would be a great asset to the organisation to have EMTs available to cover duties and provide a more comprehensive service but its a big comittment for volunteers who may stand to gain nothing personally/professionally from doing it.

All positive contributions appreciated.:P

5500

What's the waiting list like to get in the course? I know a good few members who have done it with private companies, myself included as we were told we could be waiting 2 or 3 years.

6month's seems a rather long time though, like you said I'd much rather get in and get it done instead of it dragging out over a long period of time. Any idea how they are working the placement side of things?

Leo Demidov

Course is getting under way on May 22nd. They are making their selections now as they had to wait till EFR exams were done as 90% in MCQ is a selection criteria. I think they propose to train 48 people in this group.

Theres a pre course MCQ in Roscrea on the 22nd, there were also talks of an interview but i cant get confirmation as yet on that. They had hoped to run the course over twelve months but PHECC told them to cop themselves on, I think they have a ruling that courses can last no longer than the six months.

Dont know what the craic is with placements, trying to get that info at the moment.

Elessar

6 months is the same for the EMT upskilling course in OMAC. There is a lot of self-directed learning and then classroom stuff is done at the weekends.

There are no placements because with the recognition of prior learning it's taking what you've already done into account. I assume it'll be the same with CD.

But I agree, the 4 week full-time course is more intensive and better for learning I found.

baronflyguy

my 2 cents rant...

i think it wouldn't be practical to run it over 4 weeks (or whatever in an intensive format period) because you are dealing with "volunteers" who hopefully have day jobs to help pay the bills. They also may have family commitments. The personal commitment, time (study time, traveling time, attendance time etc) and cost (petrol) alone to do the EMT course will be immense. From my experience Vol Org management/officers tend to forget members are doing this in their "free" time (weekends mostly) and wont get a cent for it.

"contract" me arse, it is a voluntary organisation. What are they gonna do sue you?
The vast majority of members/volunteers to these vol org are not abusing the system for personal gain to leap frog into another job.

The only stipulation/term and conditions that I can think of that should apply for volunteers to do the EMT course should be that they are in the organisation X amount years, they have attended duty regularly and they have achieved a high EFR result. That would eliminate the chancers/cow boys that the management/officers are afraid of who join vol orgs for their own personal benefit and jump ship as soon as they've got some training and allow true volunteers to benefit.

From what I can tell placement is tricky subject. I would be very surprised if that ever materialises properly. Brilliant idea but you need the willingness from the people you want to get placed with.

I think the EMT course should be run regionally to accommodate the volunteers and help elevate costs the will be incurred. After all the people who will be teaching them will be paid for their time.

Leo Demidov

As far as I'm now aware, you must be with the CD for three years, have your 90+% in EFR and pass the pre course mcq in roscrea on what is now to be the 23rd of may.

Interviews and contracts are gone by the wayside, the issue of contracts was deemed possibly insulting to dedicated members.

Most training will be done locally/regionally with a number of weekends in roscrea.

When i mentioned a preference for more intensive training, it was a personal preference, nice rant by the way.