Laredo Sector Border Patrol Increases their EMTs
Written by admin, Jul 29, 2017, Comments Off
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
LAREDO, Texas – Today, 14 Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector graduated as certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). This was the fifth EMT course conducted by the Laredo Sector Special Operations Detachment Emergency Medical Service program.
The course is approved by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Affairs and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. The course was 10 weeks in length, consisting of lecture, practical and hands-on skills training, and field internship experience. Following the course, all students are required to complete a national certification exam from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) composed of both a practical skills test and a computer based exam. All 14 students passed the national exam on their first attempt which is significant since the nationwide average for passing on the first attempt is 76%.
The course trains students in all aspects of prehospital emergency medical care: evaluating and treating patients for shock, medical emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks, illnesses, diabetic emergencies, respiratory emergencies such as asthma and choking, injuries such as accidents, bleeding, broken bones and dislocations, environmental emergencies such as snakebites, allergic reactions, dehydration, and heat injuries. They undergo additional advanced training on infectious diseases, as well as how to administer medications and intravenous fluids, manage mass casualty incidents, respond and treat patients in a tactical environment, and treat victims of weapons of mass effect.
Following their initial training, they are required to complete at least 40 hours of additional advanced or refresher training every two years to maintain their certifications.
This class will increase the number of EMT certified agents within the Laredo Sector to 131.
