Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services students are taught patient assessment, signs and symptoms of illness and injury and immediate care of these problems. These Southwest Tech courses are taught through a combination of classroom presentations and clinical experiences. The EMS courses are taught by experienced instructors. In addition Southwest Tech offers American Heart Association courses for individuals who desire training in basic first aid and CRP. Teachers, firefighters, police officers, child care providers, business employers and other non-medical citizens have found these classes invaluable.

The Nature of the Business
“What it’s like to Volunteer in the Fire and EMS Service”

Fire and EMS services are two of the most diverse and challenging professions today.  It is the diversity that inspires most men and women to enter these services---both as volunteers and career employees.  Imagine having to train to prepare yourself to cope with situations that range from structure fires to childbirth to hazardous chemical spills to heart attacks, and almost any imaginable emergency situation in between.  This diversity is coupled with the fact that these skills may be needed at any time of the day, seven days a week, in any kind of weather and very often under potentially stressful and emotional circumstances.  These challenges contribute to our profession being personally rewarding.

As volunteers, we are here for two purposes.  The first is to prevent fires and medical emergencies from occurring.  This is achieved through fire prevention, health maintenance education, inspections, fire safety education, and code enforcement programs.  Secondly, we are here to prepare ourselves to control fire or medical emergencies, should prevention fail.  This is done through education, preincident planning, more training, state-of-the-art equipment, and more training!  We are a paramilitary profession working in a “hurry up and wait” environment.

This business is not for everyone.  You need more than a desire to help people. You need courage and dedication, assertiveness, and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges.  And you need to have the time for training sessions, meetings, emergency calls, maintenance of equipment, and other duties.  Fire and EMS services are not for the meek or timid or for those who lose control during times of crises.  These services call on members to perform hot, sweaty, dirty, and strenuous work, often in uncertain and hazardous environments.

The personal rewards and satisfaction received from the fire and EMS services are often beyond description.  There is a sense of accomplishment after controlling a structure fire, joy and elation when a child is born, compassion for accident victims, and fulfillment in teaching fire safety.  This list goes on and on.

The bottom line is our profession is measured by the loss of life, pain and suffering, and property damage we have prevented or reduced.  We are here and prepared for one reason, and that is to provide service to our communities. 

Welcome to the Fire and EMS Profession.  You do make a difference!

From:   Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions,  FEMA, May 2007

Contacts

Rita Luna
Director of EMS/Fire
1800 Bronson Blvd.
Fennimore, WI 53809
1.800.362.3322 ext. 2701
rluna@swtc.edu

Ken Bartz
EMS Instructor
1800 Bronson Blvd.
Fennimore, WI 53809
1.800.362.3322 ext. 2704
kbartz@swtc.edu 

This program is not eligible for financial aid.

Please contact Student Services at 800.362.3322, Ext. 2354, or email student-services@swtc.edu for current fee information.