Ambulance driving is critical skill
By Christine Haines
chaines@yourmvi.com
There are 17 newly certified emergency vehicle operators in the region.
Rostraver/West Newton Emergency Services recently offered a 16-hour certification course to area paramedics, emergency medical technicians and firefighters.
“Calling an EMT or paramedic an ambulance driver is an insult, but in this case, it’s what it is,” said RWNES Director of Operation Mike Stangroom. “Any emergency responder in the state needs emergency vehicle training to operate any ambulance in the state.”
The 16-hour course included both classroom work and skills training behind the wheel of an ambulance.
“It’s partial lecture in the classroom and then hands-on behind the wheel,” Stangroom said.
The students learned how to handle an emergency vehicle in all types of road conditions. As part of the hands-on training, all participants had to successfully negotiate an obstacle course with the ambulance.
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