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Volunteer EMT |
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Who Can Apply?
Applicants for the position of EMS volunteer must be 18 years or older and should be in good physical and mental health. The applicant must possess a current Montana driver’s license, have a good driving record, and may not have a serious criminal record.
A question that is often asked by applicants is: “Will I be required to respond to every call or be available 24 hours a day?” The answer is NO! Your ability to respond is extremely important. The EMS division operates with personnel on- call, and we try to have an ambulance staffed by on-call EMT’s everyday. You will sign up for 12 hours shifts or partial shifts according to your schedule. We do require a minimum number of service hours annually in order to maintain competency (288 hours), which equates to 24 hours per month. We also require attendance at a certain number of monthly meetings and trainings. Your ability to sign up for call will be evaluated during your interview and also during your recruit and probationary periods.
How Do I Apply?
You are required to complete and file an application. Your application will be reviewed by the membership committee and you will be notified when to come in for an interview. During your interview you will meet with the membership committee and one of the EMS division command staff members. During this interview, we can answer any questions you may have about volunteering with us. We will complete a background check, driving record check and check your references. It is important that all information requested on the application be completed in detail. Becoming a member of the RLFR EMS Division requires careful selection. The selection process is designed to help the department people who will become the safest and most effective EMT’s on any emergency scene.
Failure to provide adequate information will be just cause for rejecting your application for membership. Please provide all information as requested on the application form.
How Will I Be Trained?
As an EMS volunteer, you will become a part of one of the most respected volunteer fields in the United States. As an EMS Recruit, you will undergo training that will provide you with the basic skills of EMT work. This training will be a mixture of lecture, practical instruction, hands on skills and self study. You will go through our department’s EMS recruit academy, which is two full days of instruction on department-specific things that you will need to know as a new member, such as department policies / procedures, orientation on our ambulances, infection control, facility use, radio communications, post-call procedures, safety, etc. You will also be assigned a mentor to help you along as you settle into your new role in our organization.
If you are not yet a licensed EMT, you will have a place reserved for you in the next EMT class. To perform patient care in an ambulance, law requires that you be licensed in Montana as an emergency medical technician (EMT). To become licensed, you must successfully complete the standard 110-hr EMT-basic course, then pass the National Registry of EMT’s examination. We will help you through this process, as we want to you to succeed!
After completing the in-house recruit training, and obtaining your EMT license, you will be a probationary EMT. This probationary period will be used to further provide you with the necessary training and skills to become an experienced EMT. This however, does not end your training. In fact, your service as an EMS volunteer begins your continuing education to stay abreast of training skills and EMS techniques, latest equipment and emergency procedures relating to emergency services. You will continue to train on a regular basis by attending regularly scheduled training classes offered several times each month. |
